Mother to walk 5,000 miles in memory of daughter who died after 'catching a cold'
THE mother of a five-year-old girl who died after displaying flu-like symptoms set off on a walk in her memory yesterday.
Natalia Spencer wishes to raise £100,000 for charity after losing Elizabeth to a rare illness
Natalia Spencer, 41, began the 5,000-mile walk around the coast of Britain from Durdle Door in Dorset, the last beach she visited with Elizabeth.
The youngster died on December 10, days after she fell ill.
Natalia dismissed the virus as a cold but the next day Elizabeth collapsed and was rushed to A&E where she was put in an induced coma.
The five-year-old fell ill in December and died a few days after
Elizabeth was put on life support at Bristol Children's Hospital
Losing my child, I lost my purpose
The virus had triggered the extremely rare auto immune condition hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
It sent her body into “septic shock”, shutting down her major organs and cutting off the blood supply to her limbs.
She was put on life support at Bristol Children’s Hospital, but doctors could not save her.
Elizabeth's body went into septic shock which caused organ failure
Now Natalia has embarked on the year-long challenge to raise £100,000 for the Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal, a charity associated with the children’s hospital.
The former PA from Cheltenham, Gloucs, said: “Losing my child, I lost my purpose. This is my new purpose. I feel as though Elizabeth will be with me every single step of the way.”