Corsham vet takes a walk on wild side for charity (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Corsham vet takes a walk on wild side for charity

5:20pm Friday 14th August 2009 in Search

Corsham vet Gill Mullen decided to turn her dream holiday experience in America into a fundraising challenge in aid of a Chippenham animal sanctuary.

Mrs Mullen who lives in The Lay, Box, with husband Joe and children Kate, 21 and Nick, 20, is taking part in a walk from one side of the Grand Canyon to the other, which is the equivalent length of a marathon.

She said: “It is a dream trip for me and my husband, I have been to the Grand Canyon several times before and I think it is a beautiful place so now I want to walk it.

“I decided to use the experience to raise money for Cat Rescue based in Chippenham as it is charity-run and doesn’t get much money. I got my two cats there nine years ago.”

The 49-year-old vet, who has worked at The Hale Veterinary Surgery in Corsham for 20 years, will walk down one side of the canyon, which is 4,500ft and around eight miles long, before crossing over the Colorado river at the bottom and staying at the Phantom Ranch, the only accommodation at the bottom of the canyon.

The following day the couple, as part of an organised group, will climb up the other side of the canyon, which is far steeper and around 8,500ft high.

She said: “It is going to be extremely hot in the canyon and we will have to drink a gallon of water each day to ensure we don’t get dehydrated.

“We also have to get used to the altitude before the walk starts as that will really affect us.”

The couple hope to raise £1,000 for the charity and have so far raised more than £200 just through donations at The Hale surgeries in Corsham, Chippenham, Calne and Melksham.

To give a donation towards the cause, pop into anyone of The Hale Veterinary surgeries mentioned above.