A duo raised thousands after completing a pedalo challenge to fight life changing motor neurone disease.

Natalie Shaw, 34, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MDN) five years ago, took to the River Chelmer to complete the 14-mile journey from Springfield to Heybridge Basin in a pedalo.

Joined by Challenging MND founder and chairman Alex Gibson, the pair completed the challenge in seven and a half hours.

The duo have already raised £2,000 toward Challenging MND.

Natalie said: “It was a real honour to have done this with Alex, as he is such an inspiration for those living with MND, and I am so proud to have been able to have completed this challenge.

"I was never going to give up on finishing this challenge, and it goes to show that you can achieve anything when you dig deep. We will not let MND define us."

Alex, who also has MND, previously used the same pedalo to achieve a Guinness World Record travelling the length of the Thames in the fastest time.

Alex said: “We are so proud to have made this an amazing day for Natalie who was a true super star. When the going got really tough she just dug in and pushed on through the pain and tested her inner self.

"What Natalie did brings to life everything that we are striving to do with Challenging MND, enabling individuals with MND to achieve a personal challenge or create ever lasting memories with their families.

"For anyone reading this with MND, no matter what it is that you want to do - everyone’s Everest is different – please get in touch.

"We’d like to thank all of Natalie’s family and friends who made this such a special day, and a day none of us will ever forget. Natalie is a true MND warrior."