ADVENTURE-loving former Free Press chief reporter Phoebe Smith has had a Christmas she will never forget.

While most people were enjoying some festive luxury, the intrepid outdoors enthusiast donned a 'Wander Woman' costume and battled through freezing conditions to conquer Hadrian's Wall.

It was all part of her mission to highlight the plight of the UK's underclass of young homeless people.

Phoebe finished her gruelling 100-mile odyssey on Christmas Day, having walked the entire length of Hadrian's Wall to raise money for Centrepoint, the charity that helps homeless young people.

In a tweet, Phoebe – who worked for the Free Press prior to becoming a travel writer and broadcaster – announced she had completed her challenge, arriving safely at Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria.

She was treated to a well-earned glass of Prosecco after finishing but there was little time to rest and celebrate, as she was a studio guest on BBC Breakfast on Boxing Day.

Ahead of the mission, Phoebe said: "I'll be starting with a visit to Centrepoint's northernmost office and drop-in centre in Sunderland on the shortest day (and longest night) and walking up to Newcastle then across England, roughly following Hadrian's Wall, to end in Cumbria at Bowness-on-Solway late on Christmas Day

"I'm known for choosing to sleep in 'wild' locations as an adventurer, but this will be my toughest challenge yet.

"That's because you can't wild camp on the wall – it's illegal, so I will have to walk steadily through the night, in cold and dark conditions, by myself, with only short stops to 'rest' – all the while in costume."

Reflecting upon the charity she would be helping, Phoebe, who grew up in Colwyn Bay, said: "It means I will be missing on on the festivities with my friends and family, but I think it's worth it to highlight the plight of my thousands of young homeless people who also have to keep moving through the night, unable to sleep anywhere legally and safely.

"I'm lucky enough to have an end date to my challenge, but there are so many who don't.

"Their walk must seem endless, and such it would be were it not for Centrepoint who work tirelessly to not only house them but also support them to get any education, life skills and the services of mental health professionals that they might need."

Phoebe's JustGiving page can be found at https://bit.ly/2GGCBT3