Farnham vet nurse tackling 100-mile charity trek

Rachel Dodsworth, who is clinical nursing manager at Linnaeus-owned Cathcart and Winn Veterinary Clinic in Farnham, will walk the South Downs National Way for nine consecutive days in aid of Cancer Research UK.

She will be joined by partner Louis Assheton and their two dogs Alfie and Mouse on the walk, which starts on September 19 and will take them from Winchester to Eastbourne.

It comes a year after Louis’s father, David, passed away from cancer, and Rachel’s aunt Val was diagnosed with breast cancer, for which she now undergoes regular monitoring.

Rachel said: “We love walking so we decided to do our longest walk yet while raising money for an important cause.

“Before this, our longest walk has been 12 miles, so this is definitely going to be a huge challenge.

“We started training some months ago by doing long hikes around the local countryside, including lots of inclines to help with the Southdown’s hills.”

The couple will be joined on the trek by their dogs, nine-year-old Mouse and seven-year-old Alfie.

It’s not their first-time raising money for charity, however, with Rachel adding: “Previously, I completed the Vet Charity Challenge, which supports various small animal charities. It saw our team of four take on cross country running, mountain biking, kayaking and orienteering.

“Louis also completed the Muddy Dog Challenge to support Dogs Trust.

“We’re looking forward to taking on this challenge together with our dogs and supporting a charity which means so much to us both. We’d be really grateful of any support for Cancer Research UK.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/page/louis-rachel-1724003134675 to donate or find out more.

For more information about Cathcart and Winn, visit www.cathcartandwinn.com or search for Cathcart and Winn Vets on social media.