A WOMAN who has worked for months to be strong enough to complete a sponsored walk completed her challenge with flying colours.

Lucy Davis, 29, of Littlebury Green, in Basildon, is still able to walk but relies on a wheelchair for most of the time.

She has various undiagnosed health conditions, which affect her ability to walk, muscles and joints but, after months of hard work and training, managed to walk three miles to raise money for the Basildon Army Cadet Detachment.

Her husband, Stephen Davis, is the Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant of the troop and hopes to raise money for their new centre, in Cherry Down Basildon, so they can get more equipment.

Lucy vowed to help them by completing the annual sponsored walk at Barleylands - but had heaps of support along the way.

Mr Davis said: "Cpl Emily Cooper, from Basildon, joined Lucy for the entire walk right from the start, she helped with putting her camouflage paint on.

"They made a good team as they both have health problems; Cpl Cooper has Arthritis and there was some concern if she’d even be able to make the walk.

"But the two of them encouraged and inspired each other with the same determination to overcome their illnesses.

"As they were approaching the final section Cpl Anthony Woods, who had run the entire course carrying 20k of Army kit jogged back to accompany them to the finish line."

The double act were cheered around the course and over the finishing line.

Lucy said: “I’m so glad I managed it, I’ve been very nervous for the last few days leading up to the walk but I’ve continued with my training and it’s paid off.

"I’m so proud of Emily for completing the walk, whenever I was struggling she was always encouraging me along.

"This isn’t the end, I have reached my goal that the last six months has been leading up to but I will continue walking and maybe in the future I will look for another event with a longer distance as my next target.”

Mr Davis added: "All the Cadets assembled worked hard and also enjoyed the day.

"The sun helped but the overriding teamwork that the Army Cadet Forces fosters was by far the strongest theme of the day for all involved."

If you would like to know more about the Army Cadet check out www.Armycadets.com