Four fundraising teenagers from Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge cycled 50 miles across Somerset on Sunday (19th March) to raise over £1,300 for a charity helping African children.
Amber Randall, Sophie Brady, Tilly Randall and Lilly Keeley-Watts, all pupils at King Alfred School, pedalled across Somerset to help the Singing Children of Africa – a group of needy children who visited the Burnham-On-Sea area last year.
Burnham-On-Sea.com was invited along to the start on Sunday morning where the youngsters were cheered off by a group of parents and supporters, as pictured here.
After leaing The Grove in Burnham-On-Sea, they cycled more than 50 miles across the Somerset levels, including a very challenging route through Cheddar.
“The girls did an amazing job and completed their 50.3 miles in five hours – or an overall time of six hours and 45 mins including breaks,” said one of the parents, Wendy Randall.
“They are so grateful to everyone who has sponsored them and would like to say a big thank you to each and everyone of them for helping them raise over £1,300 and rising for Educate The Kiids, which will be put to great use for these wonderful children.”
“The girls were so inspired by these amazing children and the way in which they live that they wanted to do something to raise money for the charity. The money raised will be used to put these young African children through school and give them an education that they otherwise wouldn’t have.”
The girls had never done anything like this before and had to train for many weekends in advance, sometimes in very poor weather.
The four said: “Over the course of two years all four of us have become involved with The Singing Children of Africa. As well as forming unconditional friendships, we have learnt many things from the children, including their way of living, and passionate outlook on life.”
“They have given us the inspiration to raise money for them, to help them, and just generally try and make a difference. After inviting members of The Singing Children of Africa to stay in our homes with us, we felt that we wanted to go even further.”
“Their time in Somerset brought us together as a family, creating memories that will last forever more. The children’s companionable ways have encouraged us to go even further. We want to make a difference.”
The group has an online sponsorship and fundraising page which is available here. More details about the work that the charity does is also available on their website at educatethekids.com.
