Two Warwickshire fundraisers have completed their second trip along The Grand Union Canal - completing ten miles in a pedalo all in aid of a local children's charity.

Friends Emma Brayne from Warwick and Alex Pearson from Stratford navigated tunnels and locks in aid of Molly Ollys.

The pair completed their second pedalo-powered fundraiser on June 15 - a hugely significant date for the charity – the anniversary of eight-year-old Molly Ollerenshaw's death. This year also marks the tenth anniversary of the charity.

The ladies, who have had the support of Leamington Boats and The Canal River Trust, travelled from The View at Wootton Wawen to Hatton, where Molly's family live.

Alex, a community champion for Morrisons in Leamington, said: "We found it harder this year. We also got very wet in Shrewley Tunnel. It was very dark, foggy and scary in there. We brushed against the side of the tunnel and loads of spiders fell in the boat and neither of us like spiders so we had to come out of the boat and brush them off.

"I'm very proud and very tired. It's amazing what we can do. We have a day of pain when children suffer a lot more. This is nothing compared to what children and families have to go through and that's the key part.

"I never train. I just wing it. But pedalling down the canal is not something you can really train for."

The pair said going through Shrewley Tunnel was one of the hardest bits of the day (Image supplied)

The ladies only stopped for a quick drink and snack at Fleur de Lys in Lowsonford as they looked to pass last year's £2,000 fundraising total.

The were also once again supported by Alex's friend David Fletcher and Emma's husband Adam Brayne who offered moral support and lock-keeping duties along the route – as well as raising money themselves.

Donations for their sponsored 10-mile walk can be made via: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/adam-david-10milewalk

Emma added: "People do say we're completely barmy but we do it all with love and pride.

"It was harder this year because it was longer distance and even though we didn't have as many locks, they were spaced out and not in our favour.

"But it was really lovely to go through all the little villages and see all the places we don't normally see.

"We hit a wall at one point and it took some time to get our momentum again but we reminded ourselves about why we're doing this and that really pushed us at the end."

The ladies travelled ten miles from The View at Wootton Wawen to Hatton (image supplied)

Alex and Emma are also planning to do yet another fundraiser next year.

And whilst it will not involve a pedalo, they have promised "to think of something even more unique".

To support Alex and Emma, donations can be made via: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/pedalo10mission?newPage=True

Molly Ollys emotionally supports children between 0 and 18 who have life-threatening illnesses. It does that through its Olly The Brave therapeutic soft toy and award-winning books, as well as donating wishes to children who are facing unimaginable challenges.

Between 2017 and 2020, the charity funded Birmingham's first paediatric palliative consultant as there was no such consultant for the region. That position has now become permanent and is currently funded through the NHS.

The charity works alongside the NHS to support projects within the hospitals and the community. One key project was the creation and refurbishment of Magnolia House at Birmingham Children's Hospital. This is a safe and non-clinical space where medical teams and families can have important discussions.