Bradfield pooch to walk 121 miles in November for poppy appeal fundraiser

Rusty, a cross breed griffon hound, and his owner Deb Smith live in Bradfield and are walking 121 miles in November to fundraise for the Royal British Legion.

The pair completed the London Virtual Marathon last month in good time and raised money for Spanish Griffin Rescue, a self-funded organisation which helps abandoned dogs.

Deb said: “We completed it in six hours and 20 minutes which was good, started early in the morning and went continually through lunch, in the end we raised £1,750.”

She previously completed the marathon with her dog Molly who sadly died in April, Rusty was training with Molly before her death which prepared him for the task.

To train, Rusty and Deb walked twice a day including a walk from Bradfield towards Dedham and around Flatford back to Manningtree.

Alternatively they would walk out towards Wrabness and Ramsey towards the Essex Way to Harwich.

Deb added: “We’ve been training ever since I lost Molly, like with people you can’t just go out and do a marathon, you’ve got to get up to speed with the distance which we’d done.

“In terms of our time, to be walking that pace with a dog was very pleasing. It averaged at around four miles an hour which is pretty quick.”

Now with the experience they’ve gained, Rusty and Deb are fundraising for the Royal British Legion’s poppy appeal.

The pair will walk 121 miles to commemorate Remembrance Day.

Deb has a further connection with the Royal British Legion as her son serves in the Royal Navy and her husband served for 12 years.

Training will be different this time and Rusty will take it in stride.

Deb said: “We won’t have to train as intensely because Rusty walks around eight to ten miles quite regularly anyway.

“Yesterday, we walked eight miles so if we keep that pace up we should reach our target of 121 miles well before the month ends.”

To donate to Rusty and Deb’s fundraiser visit bit.ly/3DtXz1w.