Page last updated at 16:08 GMT, Tuesday, 2 March 2010

Disabled Anglesey mother's 630 mile walk for charity

Charlotte MacPherson
Charlotte MacPherson is the support driver for her mother on the walk

A mother has begun a 630 mile (1,014km) walk to raise money for specialist treatment for her disabled daughter, and to aid medical research.

Susan MacPherson, from Cemaes, Anglesey walks with the aid of two sticks and suffers the same condition as daughter Charlotte, who has a wheelchair.

The condition, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, affects the body's connective tissue.

The walk of the south west coast path from Minehead in Somerset, to Poole Harbour in Dorset will take 99 days.

Mrs MacPherson said she was very proud of the National Health Service, but felt it had let her daughter down.

She said the aim of the walk was two-fold, to raise money for treatment for her daughter, and to aid medical research.

Susan MacPherson
Because I walk with sticks very slowly it'll take 99 days
Susan MacPherson

"Doctors need a better understanding so that less children are told, like my daughter, to go away and pull yourself together," she said.

It is estimated the walk, through Devon and Cornwall, will take 2,000,000 steps to achieve, with the logistics along the route meticulously researched.

"We've got all the campsites worked out, every single stop worked out, and we have long walks for when the going is easier, to slightly shorter when the walks are harder," Mrs MacPherson added.

The attempt would be draining, she acknowledged.

"It is going to damage me, but the aim is to get back here still being able to walk," she added.

Daughter Charlotte is the driver during her mother's walk, and she said it was all very exciting.

"I'm quite happy driving and it'll be good fun," she said before the two left their Anglesey home.

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