Best feet forward for Martha and Peggy

Aschool girl has been raising funds for charity with her pooch pal.

Martha Swinnerton, who lives in Milwich near Hilderstone, carried out the charity challenge during the month of April with her family’s Cockapoo Peggy.

The Walkies Challenge was organised by Cancer Research-Stand Up2Cancer. The idea was to walk your dog two miles every day for the whole of April.

Eleven-year-old Martha and Peggy walked every day in April. Due to school and activities the duo sometimes just did the two miles a day, but other days they smashed five or six miles a day.

They walked in hail, wind and rain, and walked on holiday and late in to the evening if Martha had a particularly busy afternoon after school.

Their final walk was on Newborough Beach in Anglesey.

Martha, who is in Year Six at St Thomas’ Primary School in Tean, said: “I wanted to take part in the Walkies Challenge to help raise money for Cancer Research.

“My Granny Jo had cancer a few years ago and all the treatment she received has helped her to share life with us.

“This encouraged me want to help raise lots of money to help fund the research for a cure for cancer.”

She added: “I really enjoyed taking part and have been supported by so many family and friends raising a grand total of £1,220.”

Martha’s mum Catherine Hurst said: “It all started when we tuned in to watch Celebrity Bake off for Stand Up2Cancer. During one of the episodes they advertised an April ‘Walkies Challenge.’

“The idea was that you walked your dog two miles a day for the whole of April.

“Peggy, our cockapoo, was very much up for the challenge, so Martha signed up immediately with the hope of raising money for a charity very close to our hearts.”

Catherine added: “We are so proud of Martha. Her enthusiasm and commitment to this challenge has been so inspiring.

“She has raised an amazing amount of money which will benefit so many people.”