As was fitting for a former Redcap leading by example, Joan Rich was given a guard of honour as she completed her fund raising challenge of completing 102 laps of Allenby Park on her 102nd birthday.

Mens and women from the Royal Military Provost lined the entrance to the park in Felixstowe as the former nurse and RMP member did her final lap and raise almost >> for NHS Charities.

She was met by a bugler playing happy birthday and a media scrum of online, print, radio and television journalists who hung on her every word.

Joan said:"It was enjoyable walking in the fresh green of the park, but hard work sometimes.

"You really just have to stick at it, like life really.

"One person can make a difference if they set a goal and persevere. I hope the children who play here (in Allenby park) know that.

"I hope they achieve things that bring them sunshine in their hearts when they look back on their past.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me with kindness in the park and to all those who have donated – a big thank you."

Joan was presented with plagues from Captain Josh Wicks, second in command of the 156 Provost Company in Colchester, Felixstowe mayor Mark Jepson and local RBL chairman Darren Aitchinson.

Cpl Wicks said: "It was important for us to come down and support Joan. She epitomises our motto 'By example we lead'. The NCOs who work for us face difficult situations every day and we expect them to police and lead by example and deliver those high standards.

"If I'm still running around a park at 102 I will be delighted."

Even before Sir Captain Tom Moore was setting about his challenge, Joan had decided she wanted to do something for the NHS. As a former nurse at Felixstowe Hospital, and remembers coming to the park with patients, Joan has always had an affinity with the medical profession, and Allenby Park.

The famed fund-raiser even sent a good luck message to Joan during her challenge when he told her: "One bit of advice, remember - tomorrow is another day."

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.

"It's not every 102-year-old who has to do a charity walk on their birthday. She could have been putting her feet up and eating cake, but Joan is doing something to support others instead and that's typical of her.

"I'm proud of Joan. I think she has had an amazing time. Thanks to everyone here."

After setting and initial target of £1,020, Joan has raised more than £25,000 and has been joined on every step of the 35.5mile journey by daughter Diane Rich.

A huge numbers of other people have stopped by to support her, including members of the Women's Royal Army Corp Association, Military Police officers from Colchester, neighbours, and councillors, while another 102-year-old, Wynnie Dunger, mother of Felixstowe Radio presenter Rob Dunger, also popped in for an afternoon.

Rob has been a huge supporter of Joan and regular features her progress on his show between 11am - 1pm each week day.

Members of the Women's Royal Army Corp Association clapped and cheered Joan as she epitomised their motto 'Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re - Gentle in manner, resolute in deed.

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 a special meaning.

Children have made posters, put up decorations around the park and cheers her on while playing nearby.

This is not the first challenge Joan has overcome for charity after raising cash for a cancer charity when was 95. Joan did this walk with daughter Diane who has also helped write a book about Allenby Park. Myth and Mystery of Allenby Park.

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.

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.

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.

To donate to Joan's fundraiser, with monies gong to NHS Charities, go to her JustGiving page here...