A COMMITTED group of schoolchildren managed to walk a total of 132 miles in just seven days to support a terminally ill girl needing vital treatment.
More than a dozen pupils from Bishop William Ward Primary School, in Great Horkesley, took on a challenge to trek 70 miles in a week to raise funds for Lily Mckelvey, six.
Lily, from Marks Tey, has an extremely rare tumour in the stem of her brain.
Proud - Lewis and Leo Pollard, 5 and 3 years old
When she was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in January, her parents Jack and Elizabeth were told her life expectancy was between six and nine months.
The couple then launched an appeal in a desperate bid to raise £370,000 for pioneering treatment in America which could potentially prolong Lily’s life.
When the parents and children at Bishop Ward Primary School heard about Lily’s heartbreaking situation, they stepped into help.
Poorly - Lily Mckelvey, 6, is in need of vital treatment abroad
A total of 14 pupils - mostly aged four or five - and their parents took part in the challenge and aimed to raise £1,000.
However, they smashed their target and managed to walk 132 miles and raise £3,000.
Julia Pollard, a parent who helped organise the fundraising walk, said the challenge went well.
She said: “The kids raised more than £1,000 over target and since they hit their 70 mile target in the middle of the week, they all kept walking the full week and ended up walking 132 miles in seven days.
Walkers - Celia and Axel Duncan, 7 and 5 years old
“We are all so incredibly proud of these kids and also all the people who were so generous and gave what they could to help Lily.”
Julia said all the parents hope enough money can be raised in time for her to receive life-saving treatment abroad.
Lily’s family has just a matter of weeks to raise the full amount.
She added: “The kids have all been given their own little trophies, medals, certificates and a big chocolate egg for their hard work.
“All of them have been so happy about this huge amount of money they were able to raise.”
Helpful - Gracie Robson, 4
Lily’s auntie Lucy Mckelvey and her colleague Jessica Fish have also been fundraising for the youngster.
The two teachers, who work in Woodham Green, ran 26 miles over two weeks.
Lucy and Jessica finished their challenge on Friday and raised almost £1,500.
An overall total of £205,000 has been raised for Lily so far.
To donate to Lily's appeal visit, https://bit.ly/2OGqES7.
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