Girl, 15, takes on 20-mile walk for friend

A 15-year-old girl is set to take on a 20-mile (32km) walking challenge this weekend in memory of a late friend.

Freya Bird, who has a rare brain condition called Moyamoya, will trek from Bridgwater to Wellington in Somerset on Saturday to raise money for Charlton Farm, near Bristol, a hospice which supports children who are not expected to live into adulthood.

Freya said she wanted to do the walk for a "very special" close friend who was cared for in her final days at the hospice with "love, support and kindness".

She said the walk was going to take "a lot of perseverance and determination" and that she was "a bit nervous" about it. "But I know I can do it," she said.

Freya's condition means blood can clot in her arteries which makes the walk even more challenging.

She had brain surgery in January and an indirect bypass, which places healthy tissue onto the brain to grow new blood vessels over time, last year.

"It was quite tough to have the surgery as I had to give up a lot of stuff I love, like dancing, but in the end it made me better," she said.

"I'm really happy I can do things like dancing again."

The 20-mile walk will be the longest distance Freya has ever walked.

She will be joined by dad Mike to "power her through it" and they expect to start at 08:00 BST and finish at about 19:00.

"I am so grateful for every penny people have sent towards my walk," she said.

Charlton Farm provides care for babies, children and young people and their families who live in parts of Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Bristol.

It is part of the charity Children's Hospice South West.

Located in Wraxall, on the outskirts of Bristol, Charlton Farm was converted from old farm buildings and barns and is surrounded by wildlife like deer, hare, ducks and rabbits.

Lucie Perryman, area fundraiser at Children's Hospice South West, said Freya's story and her personal connection to the charity "has touched our hearts so much".

She said: "We are all so grateful for her support and her advocacy.

"On behalf of all the team, we wish her and her dad every success on their walk and we hope they have an amazing time together."

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