A WOMAN who hauled a kayak from Dunblane to South Queensferry over a weekend has raised a four-figure sum for charity.

Alexis Rigby took on the challenge of carting the small vessel a total of 38 miles, with the route taking her through West Fife, in order to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

A week on from the amazing challenge, Alexis has raised more than £6,000 – well beyond her original £5,000 target.

The 64-year-old set off on her trek on May 17 and battled through horrendous weather before reaching the RNLI lifeboat station in South Queensferry.

She took in as many cycle routes as possible including in Dunfermline and West Fife as well as Bridge of Allan, Alloa and Clackmannan before spanning the Queensferry Crossing – to a rapturous welcome.

Before the event Alexis said she needed a challenge which took her out of her comfort zone. "As a paddler I felt that I needed to take myself out of my happy place and do something which would really put me out," she explained.

"So, as these wonderful people, in all weather conditions, would come out to sea to get me, then I thought that I should to go to them."

Speaking after the event, Alexis said she was blown away by the generosity of everyone who donated.

She added: "Amazing. I am overwhelmed by the total so far.

"There are still some monies to come in but for now the new total is over £6,000.

"I will leave the page running for a couple of weeks for those who were waiting for me to complete the Kayak Walk.

"What an end that was in South Queensferry with a terrific number of people there to meet me.

"Family, friends, members of the lifeboat team, Roger Lockwood of the RNLI, and members of motor bike groups who happened to be there gave me a welcoming cheer and an avenue of applause as well as passers-by and complete strangers who stopped to offer their donations and support.

"To say thank you just feels so inadequate but it's all I can say and it's from the bottom of my heart – and the soles of my feet."