Words by Smiley Team
It’s never too young to start fundraising, as 7-year-old Alba, from Pontefract, proves.
Alba has chosen to take on the challenge of walking 500,000 steps in February for children’s mental health charity, Place2Be.
The national charity has more than 25 years' experience working with pupils, families and staff in UK schools. It provides counselling, mental health support and training in UK schools.
“I want to walk 500,000 steps because it's a very good challenge,” Alba tells Smiley News.
“I did six fundraisers last year for mental health charities raising over £6,400, I walked hundreds of miles and millions of steps too!”
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Alba says she “really enjoys fundraisers”. She likes to plan different routes and walks, pick a fundraising goal and step target. “I was inspired to start fundraising when my mummy showed me my first fundraiser (310,000 steps in March-2021) but also because of my daddy, he has scrambled eggs for brains and it's very important to talk about mental health,” she says.
“I think it's good to help people struggling with their mental health. I think people should feel able to talk about their mental health because it's important.
“I think of it as scrambled eggs when people have poorly brains because their brains can be muddled up and it can't be fixed! But there are charities, therapy and medicines that can help people and their mental health. That's why I do my fundraising to show others that it's going to be okay.”
Alba will be walking many places for her challenge. “I love Fairburn Ings and St Aidens and Nostell Priory,” she says. “I love seeing birds, climbing trees, running, exploring and having lots of fun. I have many walks around me and places like Ilkley which I really love too.
“My mummy shares our walking routes on my pages as well. It's one big adventure!”
Find out more about how Place2Be supports children's mental health within schools at placetobe.org.uk. Donate to the charity on its website.
You can also follow Alba's fundraising challenges at albasadventures.co.uk.
