A HAMPSHIRE pensioner is defying illness and injuries by staging a 30-day "marathon" in aid of Help for Heroes.

Lily Barnett has decided to take a leaf out of Captain Tom's book by walking up and down the corridor outside her flat at Lee-on-Solent.

She aims to walk 70 metres journey six times a day for a month.

Lily has suffers from diabetes and has had Parkinson's disease for the past 15 years. She has also undergone a hip replacement.

A Help for Heroes spokesperson said: "The idea of the challenge followed a chat with her granddaughter, Alex Barnes, who had noticed her grandma was getting depressed as a result of her injuries and illnesses which were making it hard for her to get up and out.

"Lily is fiercely independent and lives on her own.

"Alex suggested that Lily needed a purpose and came up with the idea of a fundraiser for Help for Heroes, having been inspired by Captain Tom Moore’s charity walk.

"The idea of ‘Lily’s Marathon’ took off and she is now astounding her neighbours with her efforts as they keep their doors open to cheer her on as she goes past."

Lily's late husband Joe served in the armed forces during the Second World War, as did her six brothers.

Lily worked in the East End of London making parts for the Hosier Glider Planes as well as webbing, parachutes and uniforms for the military.

She said: "I would love to do something good for my country and the boys and girls in the armed forces.”

Alex added: "I’m so proud of what my wonderful Nana is doing to both support our veterans and to overcome her own walking challenges. She never gives up and is an inspiration to us all.”

David Martin, head of supporter fundraising at Help for Heroes, said: "It’s amazing that she is doing this challenge having gone through so much over the past few years.

"We are incredibly grateful that she’s doing this to help us give our veterans the support they need to live their lives to the full."