Family walks length of UK in daughter's memory

The parents and sister of a girl who died from brain cancer are set to complete a 1,300 mile (2,092 km) walking challenge in her honour.

Tara and Matt's daughter Amelie was diagnosed in March 2025 and died four months later.

The family from Nailsworth, which includes Amelie's sister Sophia, have been walking from John O'Groats to Land's End and are set to complete their journey on Saturday after nearly five months of walking.

"Amelie said to me 'mum I think it would be really fun to do this' and she's been really right," Tara said.

"I keep saying to her 'Amelie you were right, it has been really fun, thank you'," she added.

"At home Amelie's in every single space, we can see her and imagine here everywhere but when you're out and about you see her in the rainbows and in the dolphins," she added.

"You feel like we have this one precious life so we need to get out there and live it and really enjoy because that's what she wanted to do."

The parents have been walking in a relay while Sophia is at school and the family, along with their dog Orla, have all walked together when possible and were together as they crossed the finish line at Lands End after a final 12 mile (19km) stretch.

They have been joined along the way by some of Amelie's friends and their families for different stretches of the walk.

They have so far raised about £35,000 from the walk for Abbie's Army, which funds research for Diffuse Midline Glioma, the form of brain cancer Amelie had.

The family is also donating to the Acorns Children's Hospice in Worcester.

After this challenge the family is determined to carry on fundraising in Amelie's memory.

"I've been joking about walking to Singapore but I think my 13-year-old wants me to stop making ridiculous plans," Tara said.

"I think in the meantime we might try and write a book or something to put this journey of adventure and processing of grief together," she added.

Between 30 and 40 children are diagnosed with Diffuse Midline Glioma every year, with all of them dying within 12 months.

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