HUNDREDS of pounds have been raised for charity by a teacher by walking miles along the coast with her dog.
Rachel Richards, 37, from Tolleshunt Major, and pet pooch Chester have walked the entire Saltmarsh Coast to raise money for charity.
The teacher at St James’ Church of England Primary School in Colchester has raised £850 so far for multiple sclerosis charity MS-UK.
About one in every 500 people is affected by multiple sclerosis in the UK and about 130 people are diagnosed every week.
The charity helps to support people with the incurable condition.
Rachel walked 77.8 miles from Salcott to Fambridge in wind, fog, rain and sun.
She said: “I initially started out with a target of £200, so I am quite pleased with the amount I have raised.
“My mother-in-law has MS and has had it since a young age and so has her sister, who has been in a wheelchair since her 20s.
“MS-UK have been fabulous at providing support. The work they do is so valuable, with the advice that they give and the counselling, especially during early diagnosis.”
Rachel and labrador cross springer spaniel Chester were often joined by her 13-year-old daughter Sophie.
Rachel said: “I am super proud of my daughter. She is a very driven young lady, she wants to go and help the world.
“Sophie helps her gran when she is having bad MS days and supports her.
“It was really nice to have that extra person there, she made it a bit more fun.
“We were going to start during the second week of the summer holidays but due to the hot weather we started later in August.
“We did it over consecutive weekends until this month.
“There’s been some incredible moments. One that’s going to stick with me my whole life was on the Sunday after the Queen died I was walking from Maldon Prom to Maylandsea.
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“There was fog and cobwebs everywhere and I didn’t see a soul for seven miles, I could just about see the river.
“I could hear the guns going off. There were numerous gun salutes, it was an incredible moment.
“We had various animal encounters along the way from adders, slowworms and cows.
“The support from people has been amazing. We lived in Goldhanger for a while and the people there have been fantastic.
“I’m sad it’s over. I want to do something else now and am starting to think what is next.”
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