A Pembrokeshire fundraiser is walking 914 miles to raise money for Bone Cancer Research Trust in memory of a young Saundersfoot teenager whose life was cut short.

Susan McKehon, who turns 68 next week, has for the past couple of months been undertaking a ‘virtual pilgrimage’ of 914 miles in aid of the Daniel Bridle Memorial Fund of Bone Cancer Research Trust.

Daniel lost his brave battle against bone cancer on June 17, 2014 at the tender age of 18.

“Daniel was a quiet young man whose family and close friends meant the world to him,” said his mum Caroline.

“He loved technology and gaming as well as circuit training with the family and beating his dad, Richard, in a race. He worked hard at school but preferred to be at home watching a DVD or spending time with the family, his precious hamsters and the family cats Fenela, Cassedy and dog Ollie.”

However, once Caroline, realised there was a problem with Daniel’s health, she was determined to get an answer for her son.

After three months of appointments and referrals, in January 2013 at 17 years of age, Daniel was diagnosed in the A&E Department at Withybush Hospital with osteosarcoma in his left leg.

“We asked the consultant not to tell him directly that the cancer was terminal as he was having all the treatment and the stuff he had to get through,” continued Caroline.

“He never asked us himself what the diagnosis was because there was always hope and he believed in staying positive.

“The consultant never frightened him and that was so important to the family. Daniel had five to six rounds of chemotherapy with the possibility of surgery but once the treatment got to that stage it was, unfortunately, too late for surgery.”

Daniel left hospital after five weeks of chemotherapy, sickness, chemotherapy, sickness, eventually being allowed home for one day before being rushed into Intensive Care with sepsis.

Doctors spoke about not treating Daniel because of the terminal diagnosis but Daniel’s family stood firm and refused to let them stop the treatment because the sepsis could be cured even though the cancer could not.

With the right drugs Daniel recovered and although he had to relearn how to walk, had another 10 months with his family.

This allowed them to make so many more precious memories together with holidays, days out, treasuring every single moment, before he sadly passed away at home with his family.

Well known local fundraisers Susan and Brian have been fundraising for Bone Cancer Research Trust over the past few years by holding raffles, garden parties and bucket collections in local supermarkets.

However since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the couple have been unable to use these methods so Susan came up with a brilliant idea by embarking on a charity a 0.6 mile circuit around Pentlepoir called ‘Going Round in Circles’.

On Saturday Susan reached the halfway point of her challenge and on Sunday morning she ‘virtually’ crossed the border between France and Spain.

Susan is hoping to raise in the region of £40,000 to help Daniel’s mother, Caroline, achieve her target of raising £100,000 during her lifetime to support research into Osteosarcoma.

You can follow Susan’s progress on her Facebook page and donate at her online fundraising page at: justgiving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/susan-mckehon1