A grieving mum whose daughter died suddenly from a rare disease is currently undertaking a 6,000-mile walk around the British coast in her memory.
Natalia Spencer, from Cheltenham, was left "distraught" when her little girl, Elizabeth, passed away in December, aged five.
Elizabeth became ill at home with a relatively common virus which then triggered an auto immune condition known as HLH, Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. HLH is a very rare condition where the body's own immune system goes into "overdrive" to fight an infection or virus.
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Credit: Elizabeth's Footprint Facebook
She was put on full life support but died following a brave seventeen-day fight for her life in the intensive care unit at Bristol University Children's Hospital.
Natalia began the walk at Durdle Door in Dorset back in February and she plans to complete it on December 10, which will be the first anniversary of Elizabeth's death.
"I have fond memories of taking Elizabeth to the seaside; I find comfort when I am at the coast," she said.
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"Walking is also good therapy for me. To help deal with my grief I have decided to combine these two things in an effort to bring something positive from these tragic circumstances."
Currently, she is on day 74 of her journey and documenting her movements on Facebook.
All of the sponsorship and donations raised will be given to the national Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal children's charity.
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We're all rooting for you, Natalia!
To find out more about her story, visit Elizabeth's Footprint. To make a donation, visit the Just Giving page.
Words by Sian Broderick
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