The Village Fish and Chips Petts Wood owners run for Bromley charity

Serena and Andy Pybus joined 35 volunteers running, walking, cycling and one rowing the 70 miles between Essex and London.

The 70-mile trail from Southend to Stratford spanned over four days, from Friday, April 28 until Monday, May 1, raising money for Bromley-based autism charity CASPA.

The Village Fish and Chips shop in Petts Wood, owned by Serena and Andy, was recently named in the top 50 in the Fry Awards for Britain’s best fish and chip shops.

The couple decided to take part in the “Four Days for CASPA” fundraising trail after their five-year-old son Leo was recently diagnosed with Autism.

Serena and Andy's five-year-old son Leo was diagnosed with autism this year. (Image: Serena Pybus)

Serena told the News Shopper: “Leo was diagnosed over a Zoom call not long before we took part in the run.

“There’s no support, there’s no aftercare for autistic children and their families.

“It was just pure luck that I knew of CASPA before the diagnosis process, who have helped me with advice and support.”

Serena said it was difficult to cover such a long distance over so few days.

She explained: “The run was broken down over four days, which made it manageable. On day one we had a lot of momentum.

“But as the weekend went on and we had to run across farmland and countryside, that’s when it started to get a bit trickier.

“Day three was the hardest thing as we had to cover 23 miles that day, almost the same length as a marathon.

“By this time, everyone was flagging. It took us seven hours to do that day.

“I think everyone had some sort of bandage or safety support on their knees or ankles or calf muscles.

“But honestly, I’m so glad I did it.”

A spokesperson for the CASPA charity confirmed that the total figure of £34,000 is the largest the charity has had for a single fundraising event, and the final total is “still growing” with further donations.

The volunteers on day three (Image: Serena Pybus)

Communications and Events manager at CASPA, Kim Thursfield said: “This is definitely the largest amount in a single event of ours and certainly in the 12 years that we have had “Four Days for CASPA.”

The charity also celebrated another recent success when it was nominated for this year’s National Diversity Awards for the category of Community Award for Disability.

Serena said: “If we didn't have CASPA, I’d have no idea what I was doing.

“I wouldn't know what school to put Leo in, I wouldn't know what benefits he'd be eligible for.

“Because you just don't get that information anywhere when it comes to autistic children.

“The support they give you and the support you get from being around other parents with older autistic children who’ve been through big milestones, It's invaluable.”