Mum of four and owner of Burnley cafe Morty's launching wellbeing walks for new mums

From being shocked to discover she was expecting, to welcoming her little girl Betty, Toni-Anne’s world has been turned upside down.

As mum to Dainton, Ruby and LaRosa, Toni-Anne believed her family with husband Lee was complete. “I couldn’t believe it at first when I found out I was expecting,” she said. “I was in denial at first.”

Toni-Anne, who is known affectionately to family and friends as Floss, said: “Since having Betty I have gone from doing everything at 100mph to long slow days on my own because everyone else is out at work, school or doing their own thing.

“I felt a bit lost at times and I’m sure there must be other mums who feel the same.”

It was that feeling that inspired Toni-Anne to come up with the idea to start a weekly walking group for mums from Morty’s, the cafe she owns in Padiham Road. Starting off with a free brew, the walks will be a chance for mums to get out in the open air and meet others in the same situation as them.

Toni-Anne added: “The original plan was to sell the cafe after I had Betty. I received a few offers but I wasn’t happy with any of them. It was then I said to Lee that maybe this is not meant to be and I should keep the cafe.”

Toni-Anne has now taken the cafe off the market and is preparing to re-open on Tuesday next week (April 28) with an extended menu and opening times. Staff will be running the business and Toni-Anne is planning to return to work in the cafe in September.

The mum’s walking group start on Wednesday, May 13, at 10-30am.

Floss added: “ I’ve posted the idea on social media and received a lot of supportive comments so I know there is a need for it.”

A well known charity champ, Toni-Anne ran the Hare and Hounds pub in Padiham for over four years. She raised thousands of pounds for the British Heart Foundation and Macmillan Cancer charity. And her selection box drive for children spending Christmas in hospital became well known.