A Saffron Walden doctor embarked on an 11-day pilgrimage to find solace following the death of her best friend 10 years ago.

Dr Katalin Borbely walked 220 miles from the Spanish city of Leon to the shrine at Santiago de Compostela – the reputed burial place of James the Great, one of Christ’s apostles.

The route is an ancient path where pilgrims seeking spiritual relief walked over the centuries.

Katalin pushed her own body through the gruelling journey – which saw her cover 20 miles a day – to try and comes to terms with the death of her “soul sister” from breast cancer, as well as raising money for the British Homeopathic Association.

The form of medicine aims to trigger the body’s natural system of healing, which gave her friend, who was only given months to live after diagnosis, five years of living symptom-free.

Katalin, who took along a selection of homeopathic remedies, said: “While working as a GP in Hungary, my best friend of over 20 years become my patient when she had been diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer.

“She was told she would not have more than about three months left to live even if she would accept the recommended surgery and chemotherapy.

“She refused to accept the treatment and only had partial surgery.

“She had not only achieved a full radiologic/haematological remission but enjoyed a symptom-free happy life for more than five years on, using only homeopathic remedies for a few months after her surgery.”

Katalin and her family then moved away and soon after her friend relapsed and died one month after starting chemotherapy.

“Nearly a decade later I still find it impossible to fully get to terms with this loss,” she added.

Katalin prepared for the trip with the help of personal trainer and friend Claire Thomson, and completed the journey three days earlier than expected.

The mum-of-four also shaved her hair and donated it to a children’s charity which supports youngsters who are suffering from the side effects of chemotherapy.

Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KatalinBorbely to donate.