A HAMPSHIRE vet is nearing the end of a 1,300-mile horseback ride from one end of Britain to the other.

Kate McMorris and her palomino Marilyn are due to arrive at Land's End on Sunday - three months after setting out from John O'Groats.

Kate is set to raise more than £12,000 for two charities - Vetlife and Pets As Therapy - after smashing her original target of £5,000.

Daily Echo: Kate McMorris and Marilyn leave John o'Groats at the start of their journey.Kate McMorris and Marilyn leave John o'Groats at the start of their journey.

Pets As Therapy strives to ensure that everyone, whatever their circumstances, can enjoy the companionship of an animal.

Vetlife provides emotional and financial support to people employed in the veterinary profession, which has one of the highest suicide rates.

Kate, from Blackfield, has had to cope with a raft of challenges including fast-moving traffic, endless wind and rain during the first stage of her journey, and difficult terrain.

But she said: "I don’t think I'll ever forget the stunning landscapes, the dramatic skies, and perhaps above all the kindness of strangers.

"Basically I found the world is full of kind people who will genuinely put themselves out to help you in all sorts of ways.

"Some have delivered feed and water for Marilyn and occasionally cake and a G&T for me. As weary travellers we couldn’t have asked for more.

"So many individuals stuck their hands in their pockets and made donations. It’s not an easy time for anyone at the moment and I have been so incredibly touched by everyone’s generosity."

Daily Echo: Marilyn at Loch Tay.Marilyn at Loch Tay.

Completing the epic journey is set to prove a bittersweet moment for Kate, a director of Seadown Veterinary Services at Hythe.

"I'm going to be really excited to arrive and heartily relieved that I've managed all 1,300 miles without serious incident," she said.

"It'll be great to see my husband Steve and lots of friends who'll be there to greet me, but I might feel a little deflated following such a unique experience.

"It’ll be strange fitting in with everyday life again and going back to work.

Daily Echo: Kate takes a well-earned break after a long and tiring day.Kate takes a well-earned break after a long and tiring day.

"It'll be strange for Marilyn too. I'm sure she'll love being back with her field companions but she’s incredibly fit now so I’ll need to continue to do some low-level work to settle her back gently into our old riding routine."

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