Seven-year-old Bethan Lerwill from Shipton Under Wychwood is skipping away her worries to raise money to help send NHS and frontline workers on a much-needed holiday.
Bethan is taking part in the Youth Hostels Association’s (YHA) Time for the Frontline challenge which aims to raise more than £200,000 to give 900 NHS and frontline workers a two-night B&B break in a youth hostel.
YHA’s Time for the Frontline challenge is a virtual event and is part of YHA’s Project90 Appeal celebrating its 90th anniversary. Ninety of the 900 families selected for the much-needed breaks will be from the South East England.
She has pledged to skip for a total of 100 minutes to raise money for the Youth Hostel Association’s appeal. Originally Bethan hoped to raise £100 but she has already smashed her target.
Bethan said: “I feel grateful for the NHS and I want to say a BIG thank you to the NHS workers and all their staff by raising money to send them on a holiday.
“I have stayed at a lot of youth hostels with my mum, dad and brother and know that they will have a good time. My favourite youth hostel is in Keswick in the Lake District.”
Each day Bethan does two five-minute skipping sessions and is already half-way to meeting her 100-minute target. As well as counting the minutes, Bethan is also counting the skips!
“I really like skipping as it gets your worries away. I feel quite puffed out after I have done my skipping, but I feel happy,” said Bethan.
She was inspired to do the challenge by her friend who took to monkey bars to raise money for a wildlife charity. Even Bethan’s 10-year-old brother Joseph is getting active to help fundraise and he is doing a marathon in six days to raise money for Katherine House Hospice.
Bethan’s dad, Ben Lerwill added: “We’re all very proud of Bethan and her brother. They are keeping family and friends up-to-date with their progress via Facetime each day.”
James Blake, Chief Executive of YHA (England & Wales) said: “We are tremendously grateful to Bethan and everyone taking part in our Time for the Frontline challenge; they are making a real difference to our fundraising efforts.”
To support Bethan’s fundraising, you can donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/BethanMolly
If you would like to sign up to YHA’s Time for the Frontline challenge visit yha.org.uk/time-front-line. Simply make a donation, choose a physical activity and set a time target.
A donation of only £20 will also secure participants a special limited edition anniversary medal celebrating YHA’s 90th birthday, however all donations are welcome.
If you take up YHA’s Time for the Frontline challenge, make sure you share your photos and videos on social media using #TimeForTheFrontLine and tagging @YHAOfficial,or email to challenge@yha.org.uk.
Start your #TimeForTheFrontline challenge at www.yha.org.uk/donate
