A LOVING mum whose five-year-old daughter passed away after contracting a virus reaches South Ayrshire this week while on a fundraising 6,000 mile UK coastal walk.

Natalia Spencer’s daughter Elizabeth fell unwell last November with a virus which triggered a rare autoimmune condition, and she died after 18 days on life support.

The devastated mum, 41, is walking the British coastline to raise money for the hospital where Elizabeth had spent her last days, calling her venture the Walk of Love.

As mum and daughter had spent special moments at various coastal locations, she decided to start the walk in February from Durdle Door in Dorset, the last beach she and Elizabeth visited together. 

She has targeted £100,000 in her daughter’s memory for The Grand Appeal, Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity, with almost £48,000 raised so far through her determined efforts.

Having been on the road for more than 130 days, she is scheduled to reach Bennane Head, near Ballantrae this week and inviting local people to walk with her for part of the journey.

Since the walk started in February she has been joined at various stages by several supporters, many of whom have also experienced the loss of a child.

Natalia said: “Elizabeth particularly loved the beach and the sea and we went to the seaside a lot. After she passed away I went to the seaside quite a few times and I realised that it is the only place that helps me to feel better and connect with her.

“The walk has been incredibly challenging in places, but arriving in Scotland was a huge milestone on my journey. Walking as far as 20 miles each day is exhausting but the coastline has been beautiful and I have met so many wonderful people along the way who have walked with me, offered me somewhere to stay, or somewhere to have a cup of coffee and a rest. 

“Their kindness and support is a huge comfort and means I am not on my own.

“I hope that by completing this walk I will be able to bring something positive from Elizabeth’s death. Her memory will live on through the people I meet along the way and all those who are touched by her legacy.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/Natalia-Spencer or text ELIF55 and your donation amount to 70070, while you can follow her progress at www.elizabethsfootprint.com or by searching Elizabeth’s Footprint on Facebook.

Meanwhile, the Grand Appeal continues to support critically ill children and babies, having raised more than £40million in the 21 years since it was launched.