Welcome party for Tadmarton woman after horse-drawn wagon trip to Scotland and back

Daisy Sadler along with draft horses Olive and Arthur, arrived for her welcome party at The Lampet Arms in the village on Saturday to complete her challenge in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity.

Inspired by the tragic story of a Middleton Cheney two-year-old girl who died of a brain tumour, Daisy hoped to raise £5,000 but that total now exceeds over £20,000 with more donations still to be added.

Daisy, 73, said: “I have been overwhelmed by the support we have received, and the generosity of everyone who has donated.

“While the journey itself wasn’t without its fair share of challenges, I am so proud of Olive and Arthur, and humbled by the kindness that was shown to us by so many.

“I set off with a goal to raise £5,000 for the charity, so to be able to raise so much more for such a worthwhile cause, is incredible.”

Daisy decided to take on the adventure having heard about the Whitby family from Middleton Cheney, who were raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity after their daughter Imogen’s death in January 2017.

She, along with the horses and dog Tad, left Banbury on April 22, heading north before reaching her original halfway point of Edinburgh in July but carried on to the Kelpies monument in Falkirk before turning around.

The charity, which receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations, expect Daisy’s total to fund more than 80 days of research into brain tumours, which are currently the biggest cancer killer of children and under-40s in the UK.

Director of fundraising Geraldine Pipping said: “All of us at The Brain Tumour Charity were deeply moved by Imogen’s story and by her parents’ determination to help others following their terrible loss.

“It is a fierce reminder of why we must find a cure for brain tumours, which kill more children in the UK than any other form of cancer.

“We are hugely grateful to Daisy for raising awareness and vital funds for brain tumours, so that young lives are saved, and more families are spared the heartache caused by this devastating disease.”

Followers can still keep up to date with Daisy, Olive and Arthur via Facebook (search ‘Syds Plods Goes North’).

Plus donate to the Imogen Whitby Fund via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sydsplodsgoesnorth or by texting ‘SYDS73’ followed by the donation amount (i.e. SYDS73 £5) to 70070.