Barnham 4-year-old takes on 50-mile challenge to raise money for dog rescue charity

Annalise Goldsmith-Mercer and her family have a border collie called Jordi and two Siberian huskies, Blizzard and Diesel, who they adopted from 8 Below Husky Rescue, a charity which specialises in rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming northern breed dogs and their crosses throughout the UK.

After finding out there are more dogs with no owners and homes – or bones – Annalise decided she wanted to raise money to help the dogs in the care of the charity.

She said: “Muddy walks are the best. I love my new walking boots. I’ve got hundreds to help the dogs with no homes and no bones. We can do this!”

Annalise, who has four half-sisters – Hannah, Amy, Leah and Josie – was born with just one functioning kidney and, as the long-term effects of Covid-19 are still unknown, her parents decided it was not worth the risk sending her off to nursery in Tangmere during the lockdowns, so the walks have become part of her daily routine.

Her parents, Kelly Goldsmith and Wayne Mercer, are also raising money for 8 Below by making face masks – and have raised over £400 themselves.

They said: “We are both so incredibly proud of Annalise and are absolutely amazed how much she has raised.”

Annalise had racked up 29.3 miles by Tuesday and is well on her way to hitting her 50-mile target by the end of the month.

She has been totting up the miles on walks around the Barnham, with regular visits to the post box to send off her parents’ creations.

When they have ventured a bit further afield, Annalise has also enjoyed walking to Walberton Duck Pond and she loves muddy walks along the public footpaths around Barnham, Eastergate and Walberton – as well as along the beaches from Middleton-On-Sea to Climping and Littlehampton.

To find out more about 8 Below Husky Rescue visit www.8belowhuskyrescue.org

To donate visit Annalise’s Facebook fundraising page at www.facebook.com/donate/199904301922841

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