A Guiding enthusiast and community champion who died from motor neurone disease (MND) 18 months after being diagnosed with the illness will be remembered in a charity walk.

Carol Thornton, 71, a member of senior Guide group, the Romford Trefoil Guild, was immobilised in the wake of the incurable muscle-wasting condition and could only talk using a computer.

Trefoil members will pay tribute to their friend by taking a fundraising walk on Southend Pier on Monday, the cash from which will go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Many group members, whose average age is 75, will need sticks or walking aids to complete the 1.3-mile Walk & Talk for Carol event.

They will be joined by members of the Hornchurch and Essex West guilds, representatives of Voluntary Care Romford, of which Carol was chairman, and the Collier Row Methodist Church.

Olive Wenborn, of the Romford Trefoil Guild, said: “Carol loved outdoor activities and her hobbies included seriously long walks, including completing the circuit of the M25, walking ‘The London Loop’.”

However, this stopped when Carol, who had been a Guide since she was 11 and carried the Union Flag for the association during the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, developed weakness in her legs.

It was the first signs of the illness that gradually undermined all movements in her body.

“Carol met this challenge stoically,” said Olive.

“She enthusiastically tried to adapt and continue to try to keep up her many commitments in the community for as long as possible.

“As a Guide, she thought she knew all about challenges, but for this test she needed the support of her many friends.”

Carol previously said of Guiding: “It gave me confidence and the ability to think for myself. That has helped me to achieve much in life.”

The retired maths teacher and governor of Clockhouse Junior School in Collier Row, died on April 5.

To donate go to justgiving.com/Romford-Trefoil-Guild.

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