WITH a hop, skip, and a jump, 7-year old Indie Mead has raised £520 for national charity, Cancer Research UK.
For two weeks in February, ‘superhero’ Indie – who goes to Dilton Marsh Primary School – clocked up roughly two-miles a day by going out for a walk, a jog, a skip, or a ride on her scooter – she would even find time to stop and climb a few trees.
And whilst Indie’s efforts have provided a financial boost for the cancer research charity, the mission to raise money has been a boost for her own mental health and wellbeing.
It definitely helped Indie,” explained her mother Danielle Elliott. “We were getting to a point where we didn’t want to go out, the kids were bored – “it’s the same walk,” or “we’ve been there before,” were some of the things the kids would say.
“So this was an excuse to get Indie active and out of the house as well. This gave her a purpose – she could see the people donating, and it gave her motivation to get moving.”
Initially, Indie and her mother Danielle set a fundraising target of £50, but the donations quickly poured in, smashing Indie’s target.
“We were shocked,” said Danielle, “I really thought we’d struggle to get £50, especially as lots of people are financially struggling at the moment. And Indie was amazed and shocked to see people donating, which encouraged her to keep going. She’s done amazingly well.”
And how the money raised would help Cancer Research UK also proved a motivating factor.
“Indie asked where the money is going, so I explained it was going to help Cancer Research – who look at all different types of cancers that can potentially make people very poorly, and cause some people to die – so we need cures so people don’t die and get better sooner.
“So Indie said, “So I’m like a superhero trying to get a cure?!” She was happy with how the money was going to be used!”
Post-fundraising, Indie is now taking a well earned rest and is concentrating on getting ready to return to school this month.
“But we’ll definitely do some more fundraising in the future,” said Danielle.
