A shared love of animals has seen Histon & Impington friends, Betty Carr and Emma Farmer, raise over £800 in a joint fundraising challenge inspired by their mutual desire to help those in need. Amanda Borrill takes up the story.
Students in year 8, the girls set themselves the challenge of running a mile throughout each of February’s 28 days with all sponsorship being donated to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) – a charity chosen by the girls having seen the impact it has on improving the welfare of our nation’s animals.
Their initial aim was to raise £100 each but the girls have both already quadrupled their original target.
Challenging mind and body
Many might be daunted by the prospect of running a mile a day and, for Betty and Emma, it was an experience that pushed them way beyond their comfort zone. Sharing her thoughts, Betty said: “The thing I enjoyed most about this fundraiser was proving to myself how committed I could be and the feeling that helping to save animals has given me. The thing I enjoyed least was the actual running! I chose to run because I am not a big fan of running and I wanted to show how much this cause means to me by giving myself a real challenge”.
Emma concurs: “Running was the best and worst thing. I was trying to get fit, but my body hurt when I got home. I am very happy that me and Betty managed to do it, I’m proud of us for keeping going”.
The challenge has taught both girls some valuable life lessons with Betty revealing how it has shown her “that my actions really do matter and can have a big impact”.
‘Good to help others’
And, the biggest question of all to these young friends. Would they do another similar charity challenge in the future?
“I would 100% do this challenge again in the future”, says Betty, “because I believe you can always raise more and achieve more. Animals are being abused, mistreated and harmed constantly and giving money, time and effort can help them so much”.
And for Emma? “I would definitely do something else to raise money for people, or for animals. It’s good to help others.”
Betty’s and Emma’s fundraising appeals remain open for donations:
Betty Carr www.justgiving.com/page/betty-carr-2
Emma Farmer www.justgiving.com/page/emma-rose-farmer-1
Find out more about the RSPCA at their website.
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