A woman from Oxfordshire walked the length of two ultramarathons in a horse costume last weekend to raise money for a local charity.
Chrissy Sunley from Bicester embarked on the impressive journey Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29 to raise money for Equilore, a local charity based in Croughton.
Ms Sunley walked from Bicester to Oxford and back again two days in a row on Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29.
Equilore, founded by psychologist Dr Loes Koorenhof in 2017, offers Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP).
EFP works with horses to support people with their mental health.
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Ms Sunley has undergone multiple knee surgeries over the years following a severe cycling accident in 2011 and at one stage she was told she might never walk again.
Following this, the 38-year-old set herself the challenge to raise money for the charity, which she said has been a "real lifeline" for her.
"It’s one of those things that I just wanted to go and do it. I wanted to go and achieve something big," she told the Oxford Mail.
"It's a once in a lifetime thing that I would do. Although I probably would do it again," she laughed.
Equilore has provided Ms Sunley with mental health support over a number of years.
"I would say they have saved my life, because I was really struggling."
She walked just over 34 miles on Saturday and 31 miles on Sunday.
Her friends, Mia Burgess and Karen Richardson, joined her for parts of the walk, but some parts she completed by herself and in the dark, which she said was "very very scary".
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Ms Sunley initially set her fundraising target as £1,500, but she has since almost doubled this.
The fundraiser, which will be open until August, 2025, sits at over £2,500.
"To have exceeded that is amazing," Ms Sunley said.
The fundraiser can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/chrissy-sunley-1719961949547
Speaking on the support she has had, Ms Sunley said: "The Oxfordshire community has been absolutely amazing,"
"I want to thank the entire community for all of the support they have given me."
"It meant so much to me to do it for a charity that's helped me personally."
Ms Sunley said Elsie has been a "significant part" of her therapy journey and for her to be part of the walk was a "surreal experience".
"It was incredible to lead Elsie through the community. I wasn't expecting them to be there."
The money raised by Ms Sunley will help the charity purchase a converted shipping container, providing them with a functional, welcoming, warm, dry and cosy environment, that will act as a therapeutic area/classroom/office space in which they can use during the winter.
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