Inspirational 85‑Mile Parish Walk for Friend with Rare Lung Disease
Herbalist Pippa Clare Byrne has raised more than £2,000 for the charity LAM Action after taking on the Isle of Man’s gruelling 85‑mile Parish Walk all in honour of her lifelong friend, Anna Kerruish, who lives with a rare and life‑changing lung disease.
Pippa, who runs The Natural Apothecary in Ramsey, dedicated her challenge to Anna, a sheep farmer from Ballafayle Farm in Maughold who has LAM (Lymphangioleiomyomatosis), a condition that causes cysts to form in the lungs and severely limits oxygen absorption.
Despite the diagnosis, 46‑year‑old Anna continues to run the family’s 375‑acre farm using portable oxygen as she tends to her flock on her quad bike each day.
“Anna is one of the toughest, funniest, most headstrong people I know,” said Pippa. “She’s a farmer through and through, and she takes everything in her stride. Supporting LAM Action is my way of standing beside her.”
Diagnosed in 2020 “completely out of the blue”, Anna soon faced a series of serious complications. Within months she endured multiple lung collapses, eleven chest drains and several surgeries. Since her discharge in 2021, her condition has remained stable.
Anna praised both Pippa’s determination and the work of LAM Action: “LAM Action does vital work supporting people living with this condition. It’s inspiring to see so many people raising awareness and funds.”
The Isle of Man Parish Walk is one of the island’s most iconic endurance events, requiring participants to visit all 17 parish churches within 24 hours – a challenge that pushes even seasoned walkers to their limits.
LAM Action supports those affected by LAM, raises awareness, and funds essential research in close collaboration with the NHS National Centre for LAM in Nottingham.
