Mother plans to run around Cornwall in six days

A woman from Cornwall is embarking on a challenge, running the whole length of the Cornish coast path within six days, to raise money to pay for an autism assistance dog for her daughter.

Hannah Ward was due to set of from Smeaton's Tower in Plymouth at 06:00 BST on Monday before covering the 288 miles (463km) to arrive at Bude Light.

Ms Ward said having an assistance dog would greatly benefit 25-year-old Bryher, who finds it difficult to go outside alone, but £20,000 was needed to obtain one.

Bryher described her mother "a bit of a nutter" for undertaking such a trek, but that, if successful, getting the animal would be "life-changing".

Ms Ward said: "As a family, we have about £5,000 of savings, so we are looking to fundraise the remaining £15,000.

"The biggest thing about this dog is that it's really going to give Bryher independence.

"She is very reliant on me in terms of going out. Having the dog there will make quite a bit of difference, giving her an ability to get out and about and just feel like she is partaking in life again.

Hannah said Bryher had "really struggled" for the last 10 years.

She said: "We've tried various different things as a family. We are very much believers in positive attitudes and we've discovered with certain things that can only get you so far.

"She's continually had knockbacks and difficulties. We just thought we had to try something new and something different to hopefully get her to get back to university - this is her goal.

"She managed to do a year, but it was a case of survival rather than thriving.

"Academically, she is absolutely incredible; it was the social aspects and living on site and living with others she found incredibly difficult.

"This is about her trying to achieve her dream as well, which is to finally graduate."

At home in Week-St-Mary, Cornwall, Bryher said she was in awe of her mother's "unwavering" attitude.

She said: "I think it's incredible. I also think she's a bit of a nutter.

"When we realised getting a dog was potentially an option, we were so excited. Then we saw how much it would be, for me it was just game over; it's just not going to happen.

"But... one morning she just came down and said: 'I'm going to run around the coast of Cornwall.'

"I'm so grateful because, health-wise, I'm not in a position to do anything myself, which is hard. But mum has made me feel so included in this whole thing as well and I just really hope that people will support her."

Bryher said the last eight years had been incredibly difficult and an assistant dog would give her independence and support.

She said: "I have two disabilities both of which are invisible.

"The second disability I have is ME [myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome].

"By having the dog, it almost signals that there is something more going on, and I think if [people] see something more is going on, what does it matter if I just try and be myself?

"I really think it can make the world of difference and hopefully it's going to allow me to graduate, and I can't put into words what that day would mean if I could do that.

"It would be life-changing," she said.

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