The mother of a five-year-old girl who passed away from a rare illness received a hero’s welcome when she arrived in Tenby on Friday as part of her ‘Walk of Love’ around the UK to raise money in her daughter’s memory.

Natalia Spencer, from Cheltenham, is walking 6,000 miles around the coast of the UK after her daughter Elizabeth passed away at Bristol Children’s Hospital in December.

Elizabeth was taken ill in November with a relatively common virus which triggered an autoimmune condition known as Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). This rare condition caused Elizabeth’s body to go into septic shock, shutting down her major organs and cutting off the blood supply to her limbs.

Elizabeth spent 18 days on life support in Bristol Children’s Hospital, but despite doctors’ best efforts passed away on December 10. Natalia now hopes to raise £100,000 for The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital charity, in her daughter’s memory.

Natalia’s ‘Walk of Love’ started on Valentine’s Day at Durdle Door in Dorset, the last beach she and Elizabeth visited together.

Natalia explained: “Elizabeth particularly loved the beach and the sea and we went to the seaside a lot. After she passed away, I went to the seaside quite a few times and I realised that it is the only place that helps me to feel better and connect with her.

“The walk has been challenging in places, but I have met so many incredible people along the way, and their kindness and support has been a huge comfort to me.

“I hope that by completing this walk, I will be able to bring something positive from Elizabeth’s death. Her memory will live on through the people I meet along the way and all those who are touched by her legacy.”

In a poignant post on her Facebook page, Natalia continued: “Friday, day 65 and the end of week 11 was a very special day as I was reaching a new milestone of 1,000 miles. My wonderful friends from Cheltenham, Jo Woodcock with Emma and Alex Hodkinson-Last, came to support me on this occasion, wearing bright clothes and bringing a rainbow mood. Full of enthusiasm, we started the day by meeting lovely Ceris Hewlings, a friend of Emma and a reporter for the Tenby Observer. She gave us a lift to the Pendine beach and made some records about Elizabeth’s Footprint campaign for local publicity.

“Eventually, we set off for a challenging coastal walk with lots of steep ups and downs but generously rewarded by the marvellous views. Coming to the Amroth beach, we marked our day with a new beginning as we reached the famous Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, my next destination for more than 186 miles. We celebrated it with a cup of hot drinks at the Wiseman’s Bridge Inn pub. We also had a new addition to our company: Kerry Morgan, a lovely yoga instructor, and Lee Bailey, a beautiful mum whose precious five-year-old daughter Gwen lives in heaven.

“After the refreshment, we had an easy path to Saundersdoot where we briefly met a lovely lady Christine Hesslegrave. Shortly after, we met Richard Reed, another good friend of Emma and Alex. He invited us for a drink to the Trevayne Farm, his camping site business and a beautiful home with the most fabulous sea view. Immediately, his cat Archie came to greet me and made me smile, remembering how much Elizabeth loved all animals. Afterwards, Richard showed us a way to a special place called Dai’s bench, a beautiful memorial for a family friend of the Hodgkinson family.

“Dai was only 30-years-old when he tragically passed away. His parents Tina and Des Rees created a peaceful environment where friends and family can come to reflect on Dai’s life and leave him a message. I found Dai’s diary under the bench and, even though I never knew him before, I had so much I wanted to talk with him about... but I limited myself to only few words, leaving the rest for another time. Perhaps, we will have a nice chat when I meet him personally.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay there for long as we had to be in Tenby at a particular time to celebrate my first 1,000 miles. We left the bench and walked away, consumed by a meaningful conversation and contemplating the beauty of nature. The closer we walked to Tenby, the more emotional I felt, reminiscing about happy times there with Elizabeth and tearfully screaming inside my soul. As soon as I stepped to Tenby’s beach, I turned time back and visualised Elizabeth running around, building sand castles and happily chatting about ice-cream, then I realised the painful reality and how step by step I carried myself for 1,000 miles, living in a confusing world without and still with my wonderful daughter... every second of it wondering Why she has gone?

“When we reached the South Beach, we were warmly welcomed by a cheerful applaud of the flamboyant crowd with beautiful posters and balloons. I spotted familiar faces of Charlotte Roberson, my previous host, and Rachel Palmer from Cheltenham and it lifted my spirit. Overwhelmed with such a wonderful reception, chatting, hugging and forgetting about the sharp pain inside my heart, I spent there a decent amount of time. But when I left, my new friends made a picture of a miraculous rainbow, raised above my 1,000 miles poster.”

Natalia’s walk has already raised more than £30,000. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/Natalia-Spencer or text ELIF55 and your donation amount to 70070.

She is continuing to walk through Pembrokeshire and is due to arrive in Cardigan on Sunday.

Natalia is inviting anyone who would like to walk with her to join her for part of the journey. You can follow her progress at www.elizabethsfootprint.com