Come rain, wind or mud, volunteer Trish McInerney Simmons will battle the elements to help out her local charity.

Sprightly Trish, of Dagenham, swapped her receptionist’s chair for walking gear as she waded through thick mud with 3,000 others for Richard House Children’s Hospice.

The 61-year-old trudged for more than 22 hours during the weekend of May 24 and 25 to raise money for the hospice, where she works.

Despite horrendous conditions, she trekked more than 65km in the London2Brighton Challenge in aid of the hospice alongside son Joseph McInerney Simmons, who lives in Barking.

“My son loves walking and wanted to do something outside of his comfort zone,” said Irish-born Trish.

“I said I would do it too – as long as we all raised for Richard House.

“We always get great pleasure from working with children. It’s about giving back.”

Although she had to drop out after 67.5km – 22 hours of walking – that didn’t stop her smashing her fundraising target of £300 and reaching a total of more than £435.

Her son managed to reach 80km before also having to pull out, though family friend Lauren Shapiro – who lives in America – completed the walk in 32 hours.

Newham-based Richard House provides care and services to children in Barking and Dagenham with life-limiting, life-threatening and complex healthcare conditions.

It needs to raise £3million every year.

Visit justgiving.com/Trish-Mc-Inerney-Simmons to sponsor Trish.

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