An amazing 101-year-old former Felixstowe Hospital nurse had some extra special support as she moved past the third way mark of her extraordinary NHS challenge.

Members of the Women's Royal Army Corp Association clapped and cheered Joan Rich as she epitomised their motto by completing her 35th lap of Allenby Park in the resort and edged closer to her target of completing 102 laps before her 102nd birthday in September.

Joan's quiet determination encapsulated the WRAC's Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re - Gentle in manner, resolute in deed, and the association plan to hold a Guard of Honour for her on the final lap.

Although a nurse and carer for most of her adult life, Joan also served as a Red Cap with the Military Provost after joining the Auxiliary Transport Service during the war, and the 560 metre daily walk in Allenby Park has special meaning.

Devoted daughter Diane Rich has been accompanying Joan explained: "We used to come and walk a lot in the park anyway because it is quite hard when you have a mobility aid to go on the path and roads especially bin days and other obstacles.

"We came into the park during lockdown and in the middle of the grass there was a NHS heart and it was that which gave us the idea of trying raise money for the NHS.

"It was almost as if the park was welcoming Joan back and saying thank you for everything you did as nurse."

Although Joan has moved around a lot of her life, she spent 14 years working at Felixstowe Hospital, and told Nub news how she used to have to come to Allenby Park to find patients that had 'escaped', and take them back to their wards.

The park was given its name after the owner of Felixstowe House on the land, which was knocked down by General Allenby in 1923 after his mother died, and Joan has lived within sight of the park for 53 years.

Co-incidentally there was another Allenby Park named after the general in Jerusalem, who was famed for his exploits there during World War One, where Joan served with the army in the second world war.

Joan puts her determination, and fitness down to being of sound stock, her career as a nurse and in the Army, and years of cycling.

Many people either exercising or visiting have become park friends and that has helped to encourage Joan, although she admits there have been some tough days, usually when it is windy and her hat gets blown off and they have to miss a walk.

But Joan, who completed a 5K walk for Cancer Research UK, when she was 95, is determined to carry on and told Nub News: "There have been days when I have not fancied it but I always carry on, you have to. I won't give up."

Her father was in the army, and before the war Joan was a member of the Ipswich Bicycle Club, and still proudly wears the club brooch. She enjoyed a particular poignant reunion in Jerusalem when as part military duties included greeting and helping with the rehabilitation of POWs returning from Japanese camps.

One new arrival coming of a troop ship at Alexendria called out, 'Joan, you're a bloody Red Cap!' It was not just one, but a gang of her good friends from the Ipswich Bicycle Club, who had joined the Suffolk Regiment and been captured at the start of WW2."

Joan continued to ride he bike into her 90s until the family took it off her for her own safety and donated it to Bikes For Africa

Joan's challenge has attracted a lot of interest, captain Tom Moore, sent her a video message of support and encouragement, and people like those from the WRAC Association, come by to cheer her on.

Lyn Hatch, the association's Eastern Region Co-ordinator hailed Joan's determined effort.

Lyn said: "It takes resolve and it is quite an achievement" said the former Army Physical Trainer, "For her age it is even more amazing and I take my hat off to her.

"A lot of service people remain quite fit and Joan is among the fittest I have seen.

"We have another lady approaching 100 but said 'don't expect me to that, it is not for everyone but Joan does it regardless and has that 'can do - will do' attitude.

"The Army makes you want to do things and nothing is impossible. Nothing is beyond their reach."

As well as the WRAC motto, Joan is also doing the Red Caps' motto of 'Exemplo Ducemus - By example shall we lead' proud.

During her long and illustrious life, Joan has worked selling veg at the Butter Market in Ipswich, managed the Co-op shop in Norwich Road, was a fire warden in Nottingham, married in Jerusalem then worked at Hillingdon Hospital before the Community Hospital at Felixstowe between 1964 and 1978.

Once Joan has completed her 102nd lap, she will have walked 35.5miles. She has already raised more than £17,000 after an initial target of £1,020.

For more details and to donate please go to Joan's NHS Challenge Just Giving page here.