A Bath grandmother has been left devastated after her tent was slashed and her shoes were "urinated in" as she pitched up in Sunderland - while raising money for the RNLI. SomersetLive reported that Tracey Hannam, 55, from Bath, set off on her journey in July 2020 after losing her job during the coronavirus pandemic.
The grandmother of eight had pitched her tent near Sunderland on May 8 when the shocking incident happened. She had pitched her tent near Whitburn Beach when she decided to go hunting for some sea glass, and as she walked back to her tent she said she saw a group of five youths nearby.
After getting closer Tracey realised her tent had been vandalised with knife slashes all over it, her belongings stolen and destroyed. What's more, they had also urinated in her walking boots.
The tent, which Tracey has named Aggie, means everything to her, as it has been home for the last two years on the walk. Tracey had already walked 4,000 miles for her challenge to raise money for the RNLI.
She said: "I felt so vulnerable when I realised what had happened. I felt invaded: all I have is Aggie and my 23-kilo backpack.
"But despite what's happened I've been overwhelmed by the support people in the north have shown me since. I think they've all been so horrified that people would do this."
"The chaps at the RNLI base in Sunderland got me sorted with new boots, which was so kind. They also helped me get Aggie all taped up and repaired."
RNLI Sunderland Lifeboat Station said: "We are really disappointed to learn that the efforts of a fantastic RNLI fundraiser have been disrespected in such a way. Tracey is walking and camping the UK coastline, that's around 12,000 miles, to raise money for our charity."
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "We are investigating a report of theft and criminal damage near Whitburn Beach at about 7.30pm on Sunday (May 8). It was reported that a group stole items from a tent before damaging it and making off."
Tracey thinks her journey round the UK will take another year or two to complete but she isn't fazed and has enjoyed her travels so far. She was driven to complete her huge journey after going through some life-changing events in lockdown, including losing her job and home with a former partner.
Tracey set off on her coastal journey with gusto, but she did not get a smooth start. Just a few miles from her first stop she tripped and broke her ankle.
She said: "When I've finished my walk, I will come back to Bath to write a book about it all. I'm going to call it Plodding On because that's what we're all doing."
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
