The husband of a former Stevenage and Hitchin school teacher who has lost her battle with cancer is planning a 500-mile charity walk in her memory.

Siobhan Eckersall, who taught health and social care studies and psychology at Hitchin Girls' School from 2008 to 2017, before teaching at Barclay Academy in Stevenage until 2019, died from ovarian cancer in February. She was just 58 years old. 

Her devastated husband, Steve, explained: "She had been ill for less than a year and, despite chemotherapy and surgery, it was not possible to save her life.

"We had been together for 30 years and had just started our retirement on the Costa del Sol in Spain.

"Siobhan had spent her working life helping others, firstly as an operating department sister and then as a secondary school teacher."

Together with a friend, Steve is planning to walk 780 kilometres - around 485 miles - across the Pyrenees to raise money for two charities - Ovacome and Cruise.

The pair will take the Camino de Santiago - a network of pilgrims' ways - from St Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Steve, 65, said: "We are carrying all our gear with us, all the way.

"I am raising funds in loving memory of my wife.

"I am calling this 'a walk of hope' because I hope that all the many women who get ovarian cancer can be cured, and not suffer as my Siobhan and I did.

"I also hope that all the bereaved partners who have lost loved ones can emerge from the long dark tunnel that I am in and find the light.

"That is why we are doing this challenge to raise money for Ovacome  - the main UK ovarian cancer charity - and Cruise - a charity that supports bereaved families."

As well as paying tribute to his wife, Steve said he wants "to honour the memory of such an unforgettable teacher", who won Teacher of the Year in the 2015 Comet Awards, after dozens of nominations from pupils.

To sponsor Steve, visit gofundme.com/f/support-steves-walk-of-hope-for-siobhan.