Sarah Ralphs

At the end

We did it. I have to be honest and say that we went a day over due to losing some days in the month due to weather and me being away, but we did it. Huge thank you to my sister for the loan of Pippa who has been a little superstar. I've really enjoyed my walks with little Pippa trotting along beside me and I can now understand how this can be a huge help in calming minds. I shall continue to take her out but maybe not as far next month and not as many in the dark!

Day 26

More glow in the dark walks to get the miles in. Pippa has been really enjoying the routine and every time I got round to see my sister and nephew she is jumping all around me wanting to go out for a walk. She may be 10 but she's discovered a new found love of walking! She did get a bit cold halfway round but as she's still refusing to move when her coat is put on there's not a lot we can do about that, especially as she won't give up the walk. 

Day 21

A very chilly 3.5 mile, glow in the dark walk this evening. Pippa has had a haircut so I got her a dog coat to keep her warm. She refused point blank to take a single step while wearing it, so off it came! 

Day 19

Where the bloody hell did all this snow come from. It was pouring down with rain last night for our glow in the dark walk! It was a very big NOPE from both of us. Lucy said Pippa didn't even want to get out of her blanket fort for breakfast! 

Day 18

Our first rainy walk as we've been really lucky up to this point. Pippa isn't a fan of rain anyway so it was a grumpy walk around Harvington. She perked up when she was given a roast dinner by Mum halfway round but as soon as we went back in the rain to walk back she was fuming. Doggy raincoat on order!

Day 4

We've now got into a bit of a rhythm and after Mum's initial concern that 90 miles going to kill little 10 year old Pippa, this Jack Russell has shown she flipping loves a walk! She's trying to follow me out of the gate when I take her home at the end of a walk to go again. 

In the beginning.....

There was a middle aged, potato shaped woman with bad knees who borrowed a dog with the world's smallest legs to walk 90 miles in a month. I have a head torch and Pippa has her glowing collar ready for all the late night and early morning walks to get the miles in. We will get this done though as we (well me, I can't talk for Pippa) need to get as much sponsorship as possible, to help the whole Waggy Trails team raise as much money for Combat Stress as possible. They saved Michael's life and I can't thank them enough for that. 

I'm taking part in the Combat Stress Waggy Trails Challenge!

This year I'll be taking on Waggy Trails to raise vital funds for life-changing mental health treatment for veterans. I am potato shaped with bad knees and Pippa (on loan from my sister) only has tiny dog legs, so 90 miles is going to be a challenge for us! We have a head torch and illuminated collar so we are ready for those early morning and late night walks.

Combat Stress is the UK's leading charity for veterans' mental health. For over a century, they've helped former servicemen and women deal with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, they provide support to veterans from every service and every conflict. They saved Michael's life for which I am forever grateful for the whole Combat Stress team.

I’m taking vital steps towards ensuring veterans can get the support they need.

Thank you so much for your support.