Chichester schoolgirl raises more than £1,000 for animal charity with walk and sponsored silence

A Chichester schoolgirl has raised more than £1,000 for a Sidlesham animal charity with two days of fundraising challenges.
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Amelie, a year six pupil at Parklands Primary School in Chichester, marked Endangered Species Day on Friday by completing a three-mile walk, and followed it up on Saturday with a 24-hour sponsored silence as a compassionate symbol for the millions of silenced endangered animals.

The ten-year-old also dressed up as a puffin – one of UK’s most endangered species – for the walk with a creative homedmade costume, and has so far raised £1,032, including gift aid, for Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital.

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Amelie said: “I am part of a group of primary school friends and we run an organisation called Save From Extinction and we wanted to help animal charities with a fundraising challenge.

Amelie with a hedgehog at Brent Lodge, before the lockdown startedAmelie with a hedgehog at Brent Lodge, before the lockdown started
Amelie with a hedgehog at Brent Lodge, before the lockdown started

“I am completely overwhelmed by the support I have received. I can’t quite imagine how much £1,000 will do for Brent Lodge. When I started, even £100 seemed huge, so I am astonished.

“I did receive a few funny looks whilst doing my walk, but I didn’t care as I have raised so much money for a charity close to my heart and definitely my favourite.

“The sponsored silence was difficult, but I filled up my time by doing weird dance classes with my sister, replying to emails, making animal things, eating and lots more.”

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Amelie normally volunteers at Brent Lodge but, while the wildlife hospital remains open to wildlife admissions, volunteer support has been stopped until further notice, so she was keen to continue to help in a different way.

Asha Park, the charity’s fundraising manager, said: “We want to thank Amelie for her incredible efforts to raise awareness about the cause and for giving a voice to the voiceless animals in need. She is incredibly passionate about animal welfare and hopes that raising funds for animal charities will carve a positive future for animals. We look forward to having her volunteering back at the hospital soon.

“We expect to take in hundreds more wildlife casualties over the next few weeks, each needing around the clock care and regular feeds. When well enough they be released back into local habitats. The funds raised will help provide treatment to hundreds of animals in our care.”

To donate to Amelie’s efforts visit www.givey.com/amelies24hrfundraiser

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