A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD from Cheshire West has helped raise almost £1000 for an animal hospital after completing an eight-mile charity walk to the summit of Holyhead Mountain.

Elsie Mae Daniells, from Kingsley near Frodsham, was inspired to take on the challenge after learning of the struggles of Lower Moss Animal Hospital in Knutsford from her grandparents, who volunteer at the centre.

On Saturday, August 10, Elsie completed the challenging eight-mile route starting at Trearddur Bay, Anglesey and heading to the summit of Holyhead Mountain before heading back down to Breakwater Country Park.

She was joined by her dad, Nicholas Daniells, an army reservist for The Queen’s Own Yeomanry at Fox Barracks, Moston, along with Corporal Wayne Crabbe and Trooper Paige Sharman, and her grandmother and Lower Moss volunteer, Elaine Daniells.

(Image: Nicholas Daniells)

Nicholas said that Elsie had wanted to do “something fun, something big and something exciting” to raise the money and so they had settled on the hike.

Her dad says she has walked five or six miles on days out visiting the likes of Delamere Forest, but that this route was designed to push and challenge her.

Nicholas also contacted the coast guard and the fire services ahead of the walk to ensure that the group would be safe if any issues arose.

Elsie was greeted at the end of the journey by her grandfather, Ian, who had brought a trio of owls from the Lower Moss centre.

The animal hospital took to social media to congratulate Elsie and thank her for her efforts.

Lower Moss said: "They did it!!!

"7 year old Elsie Mae did what she set her mind to and did an epic walk to raise funds for us - we couldn't be more proud (supported by her wonderful grandma @elaine Daniells and grandad Ian Daniells).

"Thank you to Elsie Mae and her family and friends for this epic effort to raise vital funds."

Nicholas said: “It’s been a privilege to take part in it and [the support] has gone further.

“From Anglesey, to Carnarvon, it’s even been shared as far as Cardiff.

“Paige [Sharman] put together a video for us and it’s gone completely viral.”

Dad, Nicholas, and mum, Rebecca, say they are “so proud” of their daughter.

 Nicholas added: “[Elsie] thought ‘wow, I’m not sure I’ll be able to do this Dad’ but she pushed and pushed and when she got to the finish she still had more energy.

“She wanted to walk to the caravan where we were staying, which was another 15 miles!”

Elsie favourite animals to visit at the hospital are the owls, who she’s gotten to know over several visits with family.

Elsie added: “I wanted to raise money for a charity to help the animals that come in and I wanted to help.

“I was excited during the walk and when I finished, I was extremely happy and was proud of myself. It was the best day ever.”

To donate to Elsie's Walk4Wildlife, you can visit the Lower Moss Animal Hospital website.