Ashford Hill schoolgirl finishes 60 mile fundraiser for cancer charity

Dozens of cheering children, parents and teachers lined the ‘home straight’ as Ashford Hill Primary School pupil Hollie ran the final lap of an epic ‘60 miles within 60 days’ charity fundraiser.

Hollie, 11, crossed the finishing lane under a marquee framed by balloons in the school’s playing field after running the final 100 metres around the field.

The Year 6 pupil was fundraising for cancer charity The Pink Place, and managed to raise more than £1,400 despite an initial target of £650.

The money will go towards a projector for the charity, which will help those who have cancer but can’t go to the meetings as they are isolating for treatment.

It took Hollie just 54 days to run the 60 miles after often running two miles a day on Saturdays and Sundays.

The idea came about after she received mental health lessons at the school on how to help her own and others’ wellbeing and happiness.

One of the pages of her book suggested creating a charity event incorporating something physical, like running.

The event sprang from there, with Hollie linking the endeavour to The Pink Place, as she “wanted to choose a local charity that works in the local community”.

Hollie said she was delighted with the amount raised and that she had “never expected to raise that much”.

Parents Paul and Catherine, who didn’t want to give their last names, said she was “totally inspiring”.

Paul said: “We haven’t had to kick her out of bed to do it – first thing in the morning she’s been the one dragging us out of bed.

“She went to The Pink Place coffee morning and they kept chatting to her and telling her what an amazing thing she was doing.”

The primary school’s improvement lead Kirsty Kingham said Hollie was someone who would go on to “make a difference” in the world.

She said: “We’re very proud of her and she’s exceeded all expectations with her fundraising.

“It’s the dedication and the resilience she’s shown, which is one of our school values.

“She’s so humble and down to earth and somebody that will make a difference to the world.”

Fundraising and events manager at The Pink Place Christine Griffiths said: “She’s done such a fantastic job for us and has inspired so many people.

“Hopefully she will have inspired that younger generation of fundraisers going forward.”

The Pink Place, which is based in Basingstoke, was founded in 2010 and offers free wellbeing support and services to adults affected by cancer and their partners living in the local community including Basingstoke, Tadley and the surrounding area.