Over the weekend Croydon Health Charity received help from a special four-legged friend to fundraise for two new ventilators at Croydon Health Services.
Belle, a 12-year old crossbred Falabella and miniature Shetland, walked 46,000 steps over three days, to raise funds for our charity's Little Breaths appeal.
Belle walked alongside her owner Marianne Berends, who works as a CT Scanning Assistant at Croydon University Hospital.
Marianne was inspired to support the appeal after her little niece was cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Marianne said: “The Little Breaths appeal is a cause close to my heart as my beautiful niece was unwell following her birth and spent quite a while in NICU.
“Donations from this walk will help to fund two additional ventilators to provide life-saving treatment for the sickest children from 0-16 years old in Croydon.”
During their challenge, the pair made their way through the leafy-green area of Woldingham where Belle is stabled on a livery yard.
The duo visited local businesses along the way, including the Woldingham Saddler with their collection tin in tow.
They celebrated the end of their challenge with a well-deserved break in their local pub – with Belle being a fan of Guinness.
Alongside her fundraising career, Belle is also undergoing training to become a therapy pony.
Once qualified, Marianna hopes that Belle will be able to spread smiles at the Hospital’s Rainbow children’s ward and care homes in the future.
If you’d like to support Marianne and Belle on their challenge, donate on their JustGiving page.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here