1,000 miles by horse and cart to honour Elsie
ASOUTHPORT couple are planning to complete a 1,000 mile horse and cart trek in memory of their baby who died aged just one month.
Phill and Emily Gregson are planning to take the unusual transport all the way to France after losing daughter Elsie last year.
Elsie was born with a rare disease which meant she could not move her arms or legs, and had to be placed on life support.
She tragically died on November 27, exactly one month after her birth.
Phill, 34, said: “She was born a little early because there were concerns she wasn’t moving much in the womb.
“They monitored her and decided to do an emergency caesarean. She ended up on life supp port and slowly y deterio- rated over the month.
“I wouldn’t wish anyone to suffer through that and that’s why we want to help.
“We know these things can’t be stopped but we want to make sure anyone else who goes through it can get the same help.”
The couple, who got married two years ago, are now desperate to pay back those who helped them and will be completing the trek to raise money for Claire House, the Newborn Appeal at Liverpool Women’s Hospital and Alder Hey.
Rather than a more conventional fundraising method, Phill and Emily, 26, decided they wanted to do something unique and which made use of their particular skills.
Phill, a former Stanley High pupil, runs the Wheelwrights shop in Banks, which makes specially designed wooden p products, , while Emily y works as a vet in Rufford.
The pair have regularly been spotted around Churchtown on their cart, using the local streets as practice navigating roads and training their horse to deal with the environments they will face.
Phill said: “I’ve travelled all over the place. Over America and Australia doing research, all over Europe as well but never by horse and cart.
“The wagon we’ve built is ultra light. It doesn’t have any luxuries, just a bed really.
“1,000 miles is such a long journey and even I keep thinking how we are going to do it, but we’ve got to mow.”
As part of the fundraising, Phil and Emily are hosting a family fun day at the Heatons Bridge pub, Scarisbrick from 2pm on June 24.
To donaste to the cause or for more information, visit elsiesjourney.co.uk.j y