A KIND-HEARTED mum has a plan to lift spirits this Christmas.

Mara Soto will aim to break her previous record by walking 150 miles over the course of four days next month. If she reaches her £5,500 target then it will be enough to buy at least 10 wigs for children with leukaemia and cancer.

It is the latest in a series of fundraising initiatives by Mara since she moved to Swindon from Cuba eight years ago.

Mara, who has a daughter, Kiki, 7, said: “When I got divorced a few years ago, I wanted to give back to other people and stop sitting around feeling sorry for myself.

“I did my first charity in 2016 when I walked to Buckingham Palace for Julie Basleigh, who sadly passed away after fighting a brain tumour.

"I decided from there I was going to do something every Christmas rather than feeling sorry for myself that I don’t have family here except for my daughter.

“I replaced that loneliness to give to someone else. I’m going to beat my target of walking 130 miles as this year I’m going to walk 150 miles.

"I’m friends with someone whose child has cancer and the one thing she wanted was a wig and I decided I would surprise her with one this Christmas, along with other sick children.”

Last year Mara gave 50 meals to homeless people and in 2018 she worked with her daughter to use the money in their own pockets to give 50 teddy bears to sick children in hospital.

The 44-year-old initially wanted to get 50 wigs for children but for one wig to be made the cost is £550.

She will be walking with a group of friends – Lance Tucker, Anthony Reape and Rachael Finnigan – to keep each other motivated.

They will set off from Paxford in Gloucestershire on December 18, before stopping at Stockton, Biddenham and Bicester. The final leg on December 21 will cover 40 miles from Bicester to Swindon.

Mara, of Covingham, said: “I’ve been training every week, I’ve around Ridgeway and Hackpen. One weekend I walked 58km from Swindon to Buscot and back again. It’s crazy.

“When you’re helping people you don’t realise how much it’s helping you too. I don’t have family here except my daughter and sometimes she stays with her dad. These challenges help make me stronger and keeps me positive.

“It will be tough, it’s a mammoth walk, it’s not easy especially when people react as if you’re a complete nutter.

“I know it’s going to be hard, doing these sorts of walks causes your legs and knees to blister.

"It causes back pain and you struggle to walk. It’s going to be difficult but I’m very proud to do it and my friends will keep me strong.”

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mara-soto-3