Grandma gets emotional before starting 160 mile walk
Saturday’s BBC Breakfast, hosted by Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt, shared the story of Emma Webb as she began her 160-mile walk in memory of her daughter, Brodie, who took her own life aged 16.
The teenager, who was a promising equestrian, killed herself after a horse-riding lesson in 2020 and now her mother wants to raise mental health awareness by walking from Chepstow to Monmouthshire while pulling a life-size horse.
Beginning her 19-day trek, Emma and her family were visited by BBC Breakfast reporter Fiona Lamdin at the starting line.
When Pam, Brodie’s grandmother, was asked how she was feeling ahead of the challenge, she replied: “A bit worried for Emma walking all that way but I’ve brought you Brodie to take with you, so she will look after you.”
The emotional 72-year-old then handed Emma a teddy bear as her voice started to break.
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Beginning to cry, Pam nodded her head and told Emma to “take care”, to which her daughter responded with a kiss on the cheek.
Reporter Fiona tried to lighten the mood by asking Pam how she was feeling about also doing the walk and whether her legs were feeling strong. The grandmother proudly nodded her head and said: “I am, strong enough for a 72-year-old!”
The challenge pulled on the heartstrings of viewers and many took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to wish the Emma luck on her huge trek.
Roy wrote: “Dear Emma, I don’t know you but I feel proud of you too! I was very sad the hear of your loss and I really hope you can make a difference Best wishes to you for your journey.”
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Judith echoed: “Absolutely heartbreaking, thinking of darling Brodie, her mum and all her family.”
Dave added: “Wishing you and Miles every success Emma. Brodie would be so proud.”
And Heidi penned: “You are amazing and will smash this! Brodie will be there with you every step of the way and we are all here supporting you.”
Speaking to the BBC, Emma said Brodie’s love of horses inspired her to pull the wheeled horse weighing almost five stone.
She said: “I thought, ‘What would be the biggest impact and make people wonder why I was walking?’
“It’s pretty difficult to manoeuvre him around corners and things sometimes – obviously on and off the pavements…Luckily he’s quite good and behaves himself.”
You can read more about Brodie’s story and donate here.
If you or someone you know has been affected by this story, Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year.
Alternatively, you can find more information on the Samaritans website: https://www.samaritans.org/
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