Forres Academy pupil Ella Langdale (15) completes mammoth fundraising challenge for Children's Hospices Across Scotland with local support
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AN inspirational Forres Academy pupil has raised nearly £2500 for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) after completing a mammoth fundraising challenge.
Ella Langdale (15), who lives in Elgin, has Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a complex, rare and severe form of childhood-onset epilepsy which leaves her prone to uncontrolled seizures.
Over the course of the last three months, Ella, mum Kristy (34) and sisters Evie (13) and Erin (10), have been assisted in their every day life by Mairi Stirling and Steph Whytock, carers from the CHAS at Home team.
Ella was determined to repay them by walking 100 laps – roughly 10 kilometres – around her cul-de-sac in Duffus Crescent and has now completed the challenge – walking the final two laps with the support of family, friends and neighbours on Saturday afternoon.
Mum Kristy said: "Ella absolutely loved walking the final couple of laps.
"It was just lovely to see the amount of people cheering her on. Our neighbours have been brilliant and the local enthusiasm for what Ella is doing has been really heartening.
"Her school bus driver gave her a donation and balloons to wish her well on Friday, which set her up in a great mood.
"It was lovely to see so many people from the area join in for the last laps and of course it got a wee bit emotional.”
Kristy, whose husband Ross is often away with the RAF, said the care Mairi and Steph have provided has become invaluable to the family, with this being the sisters' way of saying thank you.
She added: "Particularly in this lockdown situation, we have come to realise that without the passion and dedication of CHAS, we would have been lost.
“Mairi and Steph are qualified nurses. They play games, help make tea and are just another friendly face in the house and bit of extra support.
"Despite all the odds, we have been able to make some really happy memories this summer, thanks to their help.
"We know how important it is that CHAS keeps on going, and the girls thought it would be nice to give something back.”
All three girls walked the 100 laps so far together, sometimes dressing up for the occasion, and have smashed their original fundraising target 15 times over – having now raised £2420.
Ruathy Donald, Community Fundraiser for CHAS, said: “Fundraisers like Ella are helping us sustain services.
"On behalf of the CHAS at Home team and the charity in general, we are humbled that the Langdale family have gone to all these efforts. Myself, Steph and Mairi were honoured to follow them over that finish line."
As the Langdale sisters’ 100 lap challenge crosses the finish line, CHAS begins its own ‘Run 100, Raise 100’ challenge, which commences on September 1.
Ruathy added: “The Run 100, Raise 100 challenge is the perfect way to get fit and healthy as we start to leave lockdown – cover 100km in September and fundraise £100 for children and families.
“The challenge is easy: Simply pledge to run – or walk, dance, cycle – 100km over the course of September and agree to fundraise a minimum commitment of £100, all in support of children with life shortening conditions and their families across Scotland.
"We have been overwhelmed by the number of families, staff and members of the public who have signed up so far and would love to see more."
You can sign up for your challenge at https://www.chas.org.uk/events/run-100-raise-100 .
You can donate to Ella's fundraiser at https://www.gofundme.com/f/ellas-100-laps-for-chas .
