A MOTHER and daughter splashed their way from Basildon to Southend during the wettest day of the year to raise cash for charity.

Marie Davey, 35, and her daughter Natalee Light, 17, couldn’t have timed it worse for their sponsored walk for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The pair took to the streets on Saturday, August 24, on the second wettest day on record, to walk from their home in Sandpiper Lane, Basildon, to Southend’s Adventure Island. An early start at 8am saw them trudge towards Benfleet in the mist, but the foggy beginning was the least of their worries as soon it started to rain.

Marie said: “It was refreshing at first, but we soon couldn’t get any wetter. But we were determined to carry on.

“We kept reminding ourselves that yes, we were mad, but look how far we had walkedalready and what great money we were raising for charity.”

Dripping wet, the pair continued to walk through Hadleigh and Leigh before finally reaching Southend just over four hours later.

Crossing the finish line, they decided to congratulate themselves with a cheap, but dry, outfit, but it didn’t stay dry for long – as they became drenched again waiting for a lift home.

Marie and Natalee think it is all worth it after bringing in about £400 for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Marie added: “We looked like drowned rats, but I am so pleased and proud of us both.

“It seemed endless at times but we were there to encourage one another.

“More importantly I’m so proud that my daughter even had this wonderful idea.

“We were exhausted, butIthink a bit on a high.

“We’d both like to say a big thank you to everyone that believed in us. I also want to give my daughter credit for this, as a young lady wanting to help others, rather than going out partying like most her age would.”