JEAN Edwards, partner at Deli Farm Charcuterie, Delabole, will be walking 76 miles to raise money for a charity that is very dear to her at the moment.

Martin, Jean’s husband, will also be riding the same stretch on horseback — but he hasn’t sat on a horse for some 30 years.

On May 7, Jean and Martin will take on the Great Glen Way and hope to travel the 76 miles in four days.

They are raising money for Cots for Tots, a charity which supports sick babies and their families.

Jean decided she wanted to raise funds for the charity after her grandson was born on March 25.

After what had been a normal pregnancy Tomas Patrick was born through emergency cesarean due to a low fetal movement on March 25, at Southmead Hospital, Bristol — four weeks prematurely.

Tomas was born with several problems as a result and is unfortunately still unwell at this time.

It has been a tough time for his parents, Hannah and Tim, who Jean said their dedication and love for their little baby is exemplary.

Tomas was born with a form of Leukemia called ‘Transient Abnormal Myelpoesis’ or TAM. It can only occur in babies with trisomy 21, more commonly referred to as Down’s Syndrome.

This combination triggered complications with Tomas’ blood, liver and spleen.

Additionally, cardiologists have also said that Tomas has a hole in the septum between the heart’s two upper chambers called an atrial septal defect (ASD).

Tomas is currently in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michaels in Bristol.

Jean said she couldn’t fault the care and compassion Tomas, Hannah and Tim have received from the ICU team.

Their dedication to helping all sick babies and their parents is incredible so Jean decided to do her bit too and raise money to help the ICU team who are taking care of her grandson and for Cots for Tots, who support the unit.

Jean’s plan to raise money for Cots for Tots is to walk the Great Glen Way, starting at Inverness and finishing at Fort William.

She will start her journey on Saturday, May 7, and aims to finish on Tuesday, May 10.

Jean will be accompanied by her three dogs, two Spaniels and a Labrador, and her husband Martin, who after an absence from the saddle for more than 30 years, will traverse the trail on horseback.

Jean commented on her JustGiving site thanking everyone who has donated so far, she commented: “Wow, thank you all so very much for your generosity and kindness, every penny will help all these poorly babies who are born with complications and not as fortunate as us, all the money will go towards equipment which will help give them the start in life they deserve.”

Jean started her fundraising efforts on April 25, to see an itinerary of the walk and to donate or support her and Martin visit her JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Jean-Edwards1