Inspiring grandparents Nick and Jenni say 'putting one foot in front of the other' is how they cope mentally during their granddaughter's cancer battle.
The pair from Wokingham are 'virtually' walking 540 miles to Kielder Water in Northumberland to raise vital funds for a charity close to their hearts.
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Nick and Jenni have managed to raise £767 so far for CLIC Sargent, a UK charity which is supporting the family by providing a social worker following their granddaughter Emily's cancer diagnosis.
Emily's grandmother Jenni said: "Walking helps us mentally during this time. When you walk you tend to look around you. When we're indoors we are perpetually thinking about her, so getting out and putting one foot in front of the other really helps us.
"Doing this is really huge to us and would mean everything.
"CLIC Sargent have been wonderful in caring for Emily, they don't get any support financially and rely on people like us to do fundraising challenges."
Emily was diagnosed with infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia last November and spent the following six months at Southampton General Hospital on intensive chemotherapy.
The toddler has been having daily remission chemotherapy at her home in Wokingham however on Friday, December 11, the family found out that Emily is sadly no longer in remission.
Later today (December 15) Emily will be heading to Great Ormond Street Hospital to start immunotherapy followed by a round of chemotherapy and then potentially a bone marrow transplant.
Jenni and Nick decided they wanted to do something to raise funds for to CLIC Sargent, who they say have supported their family tirelessly this year and continue to do so.
Because they can't actually walk to Northumberland due to Covid-19, the pair have been walking around Wokingham and to Ascot, covering 200 miles so far.
Their aim is to virtually get to Kielder Water because this part of the UK is where it's said to get the best view of Santa and his reindeer.
They will then start the return 270 miles on Boxing Day, clocking up a total of 540 miles each.
They have been doing two to three walks per day averaging around ten miles a day.
Jenni added: “The journey we are all going through with Emily is a step by step, day by day journey, and the walk is mirroring this
"It’s not easy at all but we remind ourselves it’s for Emily and keep going.
"We’d love it if the kind people of Berkshire get behind our challenge and help to raise funds for this amazing charity”
Rose Bailey, CLIC Sargent Fundraising Engagement Manager for Berkshire, said: “I’m in regular touch with Jenni and know how hard the family have had it this year. Jenni said the walking is saving her life right now and giving her and Nick something to focus on.
"We’re so grateful to Nick and Jenni for taking on this epic challenge for CLIC Sargent and hope that what they are doing will inspire others going through challenging times.”
Visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/granni-and-grumps to donate to their fundraising page.
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