Inspirational 10-year-old’s marathon fundraiser for TippyToes Baby Bank reaches more than £4,000!
A kind-hearted schoolboy, who used his daily exercise lockdown allowance to help a charity supporting Lancashire families in need by running the equivalent of a marathon, has raised £4,130 – the highest amount ever raised for the good cause.
Ollie Ascroft, 10, became the youngest person to raise funds for TippyToes Baby Bank, based in Preston, by running from his Hesketh Bank home to his temporarily closed school, Tarleton Community Primary in Hesketh Lane, every day over 14 days.
Inspired to help the charity after reading about its crucial work and wanting to use his time in lockdown to do something positive to help families in need, Ollie ran a distance of almost two miles each morning – notching up the equivalent of a marathon (26 miles) by the time he finished on Saturday (April 9).
TippyToes was founded in 2019 to provide essential items to families in desperate need around the county, such as milk formula, nappies, wipes, second-hand clothes, equipment, furniture, toiletries and donations.
The charity, which has helped more than 900 families over the last 12 months, has seen a huge rise in people needing its help during the coronavirus crisis.
TippyToes founder Sue Wade comments, “It is outstanding to receive such a large amount of money from one individual fundraiser – and one so young. This is the largest sum we have ever received and is invaluable to us to carry on our work of supporting families in crisis. Words cannot express our gratitude to Ollie and his mum, Gemma, for their dedication to helping others.”
Ollie says, “I’m very glad I did it and knowing that the money I’ve raised will be helping families who need it makes me very happy. I actually enjoyed running to my school and back every day for the charity, and I think I’m going to miss doing it.”
His mum, Gemma, who ran with him all the way, adds, “We are very proud of what Ollie has achieved. Initially, he wanted to raise £500, so reaching over £4,000 is truly amazing and we are extremely grateful to all the people and businesses who have given so generously in what are very challenging times.”
It’s not the first time that Ollie has impressed with his determination and sporting achievements – aged eight, he became the youngest ever karate blackbelt member of the Black Belt Leadership Academy in Hesketh Lane. A massive Liverpool FC fan, he also plays football for Hesketh Bank Football Club U11s.
To make a donation, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/ollies-campaign-for-tippytoes-babybank
OTS News on Social Media