Women's walking was still at a very early stage of development and there were no officially sanctioned major championships for female athletes.

She was an amateur athlete and maintained a full-time job in the British civil service to support her sporting career.

[2] The Women's Amateur Athletic Association (WAAA) held walks from 1960 onwards, and it was at these events that Fawkes established herself.

She dropped back down the order in 1975, being runner-up to Ginney Lovell in the 5000 m walk and losing to Judy Farr at the road event.

[3][4] She took on and beat Norway's champion walker, Thorill Gylder, at the Nordic Race Walking Championships that same year.