Scrumpy and her owner Jacqui are set to embark on a 630-mile trek across the South West Coast Path. 

Scrumpy will walk the South West Coast Path in memory of her late best friend.

A University of Portsmouth researcher and her corgi are putting their best paws forward this March by walking 630 miles for Prostate Cancer UK.

Jacqui will embark on the South West Coast Path on March 12 with eight-year-old Scrumpy in memory of her late husband, George, who died from prostate cancer.

Money raised from the challenge will also go towards University Hospitals Dorset’s Prostate Cancer Services.

In 2009, George completed the same walk, raising an incredible £10,000 for clinical neurology research. Jacqui now hopes to match that total and, in a touching tribute, will carry a miniature crocheted version of George, just as he did on his original journey.

Jacqui said: “Scrumpy was George's girl through and through, right until the end. If George was on the sofa, she was there every single time. This walk is about keeping them together and continuing the adventures they loved.”

The South West Coast Path is Britain’s longest waymarked footpath, and will certainly pose a few challenges for little Scrumpy, who enjoys nothing more than relaxing on the sofa.

Scrumpy will walk when she can, but will also be able to ride a backpack when needed and travel by pram for some stretches.

Jacqui’s University of Portsmouth sport and exercise colleagues have designed a comprehensive eight-week training programme to prepare them for their journey, which she hopes to complete in over 52 walking days.

She is documenting the journey on Instagram at @rixbigramble2, where supporters can follow their progress from training to completing the walk.

At the time of writing, Jacqui and Scrumpy’s GiveWheel fundraising campaign has reached £548 of its £10,000 target. To make a donation, visit https://gvwhl.com/Y2WV3

Image (C) University of Portsmouth.