Chaparral 7 walkers arrive home to La Cala with tired legs, full hearts and €17,000 (and counting) for rescue animals

Tired legs, wide smiles and a welcome that only a close-knit community can give. The Chaparral 7 have finally arrived safely back in La Cala de Mijas, and the mood on the seafront was pure joy.

Chaparral 7 finish their 100-kilometre walk in La Cala

Seven friends set off from Nerja on Tuesday, November 10, determined to raise money for two much-loved animal rescue charities, ACE-SHIN and Donkey Dreamland. Four days, lots of laughs and 100 kilometres later, they reached the Torreon in La Cala de Mijas right on time at 3.45pm on Friday, November 13, to a crowd that had been waiting patiently to cheer them home.

Residents and visitors turned out in numbers, clapping, waving and snapping photos as the team came into view. Familiar faces joined the welcome too, with Jasmine Harman, Heather Mills and Mark Clattenburg on hand alongside a Channel 4 production team to greet the walkers across the finish line. Fabienne Paques from ACE-SHIN and Amaya Isert of Donkey Dreamland were both there as well with big smiles to join the welcome.

Rain had only just cleared, and the sun came out in time for the big moment. Remarkably, every one of the walkers looked fresh and in high spirits.

€17,000 so far raised for ACE-SHIN and Donkey Dreamland

Total raised stands at €17,000 at the time of writing, a figure that will go a long way for the animals in their care. ACE-SHIN, based in La Cala de Mijas, rescues and looks after animals in need, while Donkey Dreamland gives rescued and retired donkeys a safe and happy home.

Organisers had hoped to reach €20,000, and donations are still welcome for anyone who wants to help the team get there. Every euro goes towards the daily care of the animals who depend on these charities. Sponsors Runway Glass & Window Cleaning helped back the challenge from the start.

Rain, chiringuitos and plenty of laughs

Shaun, one of the team, told Euro Weekly News he was really happy, as was everyone else, and admitted he was glad it was not five days!!! Everyone did well, he said, even though the group had to battle four hours of on-and-off rain while walking past Malaga.

Spirits stayed high, helped along by regular dips in and out of chiringuito.. Despite the wet weather, Shaun described the whole experience as great.

How you can still support the Chaparral 7

The team were finishing up at the beach then heading on over to local’s favourite Biddy Mulligan’s Irish pub, where supporters could meet the walkers, join the raffle and give a little more to the two charities. Anyone who missed the finish can still donate through the Chaparral for Good website at chaparralforgood.com.

A rainy coastline, a big-hearted community and seven determined friends have shown once again what local people can achieve for animals in need.