A MUM will tackle an 87-mile hike in silence to raise money for a charity which pulled her out of £49,000 of debt.

To celebrate her family's 10th anniversary of being debt-free, Lizi Bowerman, from Harwell, is taking on The Ridgeway to raise money for Christians Against Poverty.

In 2006 Mrs Bowerman and husband Juan filed for personal bankruptcy after clocking up £49,000 of debt after a court custody battle over Mr Bowerman’s children from a previous relationship.

The 36-year-old remembered: "It is such a frightening time to go through.

"We were doing alright but it was the expense of the court case which pushed us over the edge.

"You can’t believe something like that can happen to you – I was a book keeper so it just goes to show that anyone can find themselves in these situations.

"Life happens, which is why the charity is just fantastic at getting you back on your feet."

Christians Against Poverty help families create personalised payment and saving plans to help them pay off their debts.

The charity has five bases in Oxfordshire: Banbury, Chipping Norton, Wallingford, Witney and Oxford.

Mrs Bowerman, who became an area manager for the charity in 2010, said: "They don’t give you any money, but they come in and make a tailored payment plan and see what you are able to pay back and when.

"They also direct all your creditors through to them, which is a massive pressure off your shoulders.

"We were on the brink of despair and Christians Against Poverty were so fantastic I do not know what we would have done without them."

Mrs Bowerman will start her trek on Friday, May 27, and is hoping to walk the entire 87 miles of Britain's oldest road through Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, over the three-day Bank Holiday weekend.

To heighten the challenge, she plans to complete the hike alone and in complete silence.

She added: "While working with the charity I have found it usually takes three years for someone to finally come forward and say they are having financial difficulties.

"So many people suffer in silence and I want this walk to break down that stigma.

"Debt can happen to anyone and for some reason managing money is not taught in schools and you’re just expected to pick it up when you come into adulthood.

"I want people to stop suffering in silence and feel there is a place for them to be heard and helped."

Mrs Bowerman has already raised £1,000 and hopes the money can go towards expanding the charity.

She said: "Because the service is so personalised, each centre in Oxfordshire can only help about 20 people per month.

"I not only want to raise awareness of how the charity can help people, but I also want to raise money so they can expand on the amazing work it already does."

Sponsor Mrs Bowerman's silent slog at justgiving.com/Lizi-Bowerman