WALMER couple, Patrick and Bev Scott, combined their love of walking and their passion for animals to raise almost R24000 for a cause close to their hearts.
In July, the Scotts walked 230km in two weeks, along the Saxon Shore Way in England, in an attempt to raise funds for the Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) sterilisation programme in Motherwell.
The couple's initial target was to raise R15000, which is the cost of a full spayathon, but the final tally came to a total of R23362, according to AACL spokeswoman Linda-Louise Swain. There was also an anonymous donation of R10000 from one couple.
In August 52 animals were treated in the township. Another 48 were sterilised following the spayathon, which puts the total at 100. Another 15 have been booked for this weekend.
Patrick, 53, and Bev, 58, said their passion for their furry friends motivated them to trek through the English countryside, facing hiccups such as gloomy weather and losing their way.
"We got lost a few times and there were days when we had to backtrack," said Bev.
They hiked along protected public footpaths which took them past ancient landmarks and through "phenomenal" forests and counties steeped in history.
The couple stayed at inns along the way and visited the local pubs for a bite to eat and a pint of beer.
Patrick started a pub challenge, inviting pledges of R10 for every pub they visited. Several members of the Facebook group – Walking for Paws and Claws – joined the challenge and pledged their donations.
"We tried to visit as many pubs as we could. We went to 36 pubs and raised about R2500 just from this challenge," said Patrick.
Bev said she was satisfied with the walk but was disappointed that they were unable to finish the last 30km, having originally aimed at a 260km journey.
On the second last day there was a prediction of surface flooding which saw them taking the train to their last stop.
Bev said that this was definitely not their last walk.