A Curdworth Primary School pupil put her best foot forward over the summer – by walking 700 steps each day – is helping four-legged friends at a sanctuary in Sutton Park.
Curdworth Primary School pupil Sophie Wakeman became a familiar sight around the North Warwickshire village, as she took her daily sponsored stroll – complete with donkey ears on top of her head.
The eight-year-old fundraiser started the challenge on 27 July and completed it on 30 August, walking an amazing 336,374 steps and covered 140.44 miles – smashing the target she had set for herself.
So far, her efforts have raised an amazing £590 for The Donkey Sanctuary Birmingham, which is based in Sutton Park. The sanctuary is home to 13 resident donkeys, including adoption donkeys, Cisco, Shocks, Oscar and Jimmy.
The charity offers Donkey-Assisted Activities for the local community. These ground-based activities support people’s self-development and wellbeing, helping individuals to better deal with challenging and stressful situations in everyday life, whilst also promoting positive attitudes towards donkeys.
The Birmingham centre also trains donkeys for the charity’s rehoming scheme. Fit, healthy and suitable donkeys within the charity’s care go to Guardian homes to help free up vital sanctuary-space for donkeys with on-going care needs.
Sophie, who wants to be a scientist when she grows up, said: “I like to use my summer holidays to raise money for charity – it’s great fun.
“I just want to do as much as I can to help protect nature, wildlife and animals.”
Last summer, Sophie did daily sponsored walks to raise cash for the British Beekeepers Association.
Now she is looking forward to visiting the sanctuary in person, to deliver the cash she has raised and meet some of the donkeys who live there.
Proud mum Kerry explained: “Sophie has always had a love of animals and nature, and after last year we weren’t surprised when she told us she wanted to raise money again.
“In fact, she’s already planning her fundraising for next summer. We are so proud of Sophie – she is such a kind and caring little girl, who wants to save the world!”
Her daily walks were even more remarkable given that, from the age of two and a half up until she was five years old, Sophie suffered with shortened Achilles tendons and tightened calves in both legs – which resulted in her having to wear orthotic boots every day. The condition made her unsteady on her feet and meant she found it painful to walk even short distances.
A spokesman for The Donkey Sanctuary Birmingham said: “What an amazing thing Sophie has done for our donkeys! We are so grateful that she chose to support us, and her achievement will help us care for our resident donkeys in Birmingham, as well as reaching more donkeys in need.”
Lisa Dodd, headteacher at Curdworth – which is part of the respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership – said: “Sophie always has a smile on her face and puts 100% into everything she does in life. She is a very kind, caring member of our school and we are incredibly proud of the funds she has raised to help animals.”
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“I just want to do as much as I can to help protect nature, wildlife and animals,”
– sophie wakeman