Bereaved mum finishes Chepstow to London horse statue trek

Emma Webb has completed a fundraising walk in memory of her daughter Brodie

The mum of a teenage girl who took her own life has finished a 158-mile (257km) charity walk with a life-size resin horse named Miles.

Emma Webb's daughter Brodie, 16, a promising equestrian, died in March 2020.

Prince William was among those who supported her 19-day trek to raise awareness of mental health.

Emma said the Chepstow to London walk was tough but she was delighted to have raised more than £45,000.

As she finished she hugged her own mother, and said she believed Brodie would have been proud of her.

The reception left her "overwhelmed", she said.

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"My name is up in lights - I didn't know where to look - It was just amazing," she said.

She said the walk had been "crazy days".

"It seems like just yesterday that I started but it was the 25th of November.

"And when I look back at the journey and the days that we had, the ups the downs, the amazing surprises along the way and everybody coming out and supporting, it's just been such a journey that I'll never, ever forget.

"I've got mixed emotions, because I've always got to keep that purpose in my head to keep fighting on, because you need to find that purpose as a mum who's lost everything. But we'll get there."

Brodie, a promising equestrian, took her own life in March 2020

"I'd never have done it without Miles," she added.

The horse statue weighs more than 30kg (4st 10lb).

Meeting Prince William was a big surprise that left her "flabbergasted", she said.

"He sort of came around the corner and said 'Boo', and as soon as I heard him I thought, 'Oh that's Prince William'.

"I just didn't know what to do. He just opened up his arms and I thought, 'He wants to give me a hug', so I gave him a great big hug."

The final leg of her journey, which began in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, took her through central London to the London International Horse Show at the ExCel centre.

She said her intention has been to raise awareness of suicide and signpost help to those who need it.

Emma said the future could hold more adventures with Miles.

"Some parts were barely wide enough for the wheels and you had to watch that he didn't end up in the canal," she said.

Twice Miles broke, she said, but strangers helped fix him.

Emma paused her journey on Sunday to think about Brodie on what would have been her 20th birthday.

"She seems like she's only 16, but she would be 20 this year," she said.

Emma said it would not the end of the road for Miles.

"He's not going anywhere. We may have another little adventure, but he's staying with us now," she said.

If you or someone you know has been affected by the issues raised in this article, information on available support can be accessed at BBC Action Line.

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