AN energetic rollerblader who pulled on her first pair of skates three months ago will roll into St Albans this evening, almost completing a 450-mile journey from Edinburgh to London.

Joanne Toner started from the Royal Mile, in Scotland's capital, her native city, on Tuesday, August 30, and has skated 45 miles a day, aiming to arrive in London's Trafalgar Square tomorrow.

The 27-year-old hopes to raise more than £10,000 for her former employer, The Children's Trust, which provides vital care and rehabilitiation for children with brain injuries.

Miss Toner said her epic adventure was inspired by the death of a young boy she had previously worked with at the charity.

"I had met Justin and his family on quite a few occasions when I was at the trust and it was really upsetting news," she said. "This was when I decided that I needed to do something that was going to be really difficult, but that was also fun and unusual enough so people would get on board with the sponsorship to help make a real difference to the children the trust works with."

Her best friend Jen Flint told the Review: "Jo thought up this challenge herself and is blading solo across the country. She has devoted her year so far to training and raising her awareness of the challenge but still needs a lot more support and hopefully donations.

Jen added: "The care and the level of success The Children's Trust maintain is not cheap so every penny fundraised makes a huge difference to the work they do."

Miss Toner started off in Bedford this morning and is due to arrive in St Albans at around 8pm. She will stop in the city overnight for a well-earned rest before setting off on the final stretch of her journey to London tomorrow.

To donate to the cause visit Miss Toner's just giving page at justgiving.com/joanne-toner.