AN inspirational mum from Dartmouth is raising money for a charity in memory of her son who died aged two.

Brave Nathan Debney lost his battle for life in 2006 following complications after surgery for a bowel obstruction.

Now his mum Sally, whose husband Nick is parish curate in Dartmouth, is walking 23 miles along the coast path from Exeter to Babbacombe to keep alive the memory of their little boy.

She is raising money for Torbay Holiday Helpers Network that provides free fun-filled memory making holidays to recently bereaved families or those with seriously ill children or a terminally ill parent.

‘Memories are so important and stay with you forever,’ said Sally. ‘We sat in intensive care with Nathan for two months as he struggled to pull through. He was so brave but sadly lost his battle.

‘I was pregnant at the time with his brother, Adam, whom he would never get to meet.

‘I know how much this has changed and affected our family and can completely, whole heartedly sympathise with parents with terminally ill children and if lasting memories can be made for them, then that is a job we can all get involved with.’

Sally, 41, has had an especially busy summer holiday fitting long distance hiking around her usual activities as a mum and part-time waitress.

Already she has reached her target of £200 in sponsorship but is hoping people will carry on donating money on her just giving fundraising page.

Sally is taking part in the City to Sea event on Saturday, September 5.

Participants will be running or walking either 23 or 53 miles, finishing up at a family fun day on Babbacombe Downs. The 53-mile walk also includes Berry Head in Brixham.

Torbay Holiday Helpers Network was founded by Babbacombe hotelier Luke Tillen, who initially invited families to his own Hotel De La Mer before encouraging other hotels, guesthouses, self catering establishments, restaurants, cafes, businesses and activity resorts across Torbay to donate their goods and services to make free and action packed holiday experiences to families in need.

The charity has just welcomed its 500th family to Torbay but is conscious that there are many others who also need such a holiday.

THHN is currently raising funds so it can purchase and equip a bungalow for family breaks and would also like to hear from any holiday business who may be able to offer accommodation or vouchers.

Sally will be tackling 23 miles, ten miles further than she has done before, along with close friend and Nathan’s godmother, Claire Green.

It is a tough challenge but she is motivated: ‘I feel that this charity is so important to these families and wish that we had had the time to make more memories with our son Nathan before he died.

‘Memories are so important and stay with you forever. By taking part in these events it helps me cope with our loss in keeping Nathan’s memory alive and with us more.’

THHN founder and director Luke Tillen said: ‘Hearing Sally’s story really has touched me and I truly cannot thank her enough for her incredible efforts to help us take THHN’s work further still.

‘Taking on a challenge like City to Sea 23 is a very big task, taking up hours and hours of training, and to fundraise so passionately on top of all of that is just simply incredible.’

You can support Sally’s challenge by donating at www.justgiving.com/Sally-Debney1.