A YOUNGSTER in the borough has decided to turn his new year resolution into a fundraising opportunity to help a Hurst pre-school.
Finley Rockall-Howells, accompanied by his mum, will walk 20 miles a week, not just for a month or two, but for the whole year.
Finley aims to raise £1,000 for St Nicholas Pre-school, Hurst, where his cousins, Jackson, four, and Sienna, nearly three, are both pupils.
“Jackson and Sienna absolutely love attending St Nicholas,” says Finley’s mum, Eppie Howells..
“Staff there have been very supportive, and so accommodating.
“They’ve adapted the day to help Jackson, by providing sensory based learning, with water play in an outdoor space.”
Both Jackson and Sienna are on the autism pathway, and their needs have been very well met by the school.”
Finlay and his mum had their fundraising idea, watching the news over Christmas, when they heard about a man running a marathon every day for a year.
“We thought that might be a bit much,” says Eppie, “but Finley was keen to do something to help his cousins’ pre-school, so we thought we could manage 20 miles a week, for a year.”
Finley says: “It started out as my new year’s resolution, and turned into a way to help out.
“I play football, and I run a lot.
“I enjoy being active, and this gets me outside, doing what I love.
“I especially like to walk around Dinton, where there are loads of people to chat to.”
As well as his weekend rambles, Finley will meet much of his weekly target walking to and from his school, Highwood Primary in Woodley, which will feature his story in their next newsletter.
He will be commuting on foot all year.
” And then, when I go to Waingels College in September, I’ll still walk to and from school,” says Finley.
The family have set up a JustGiving account to raise money for St Nicholas.
Within 24 hours Finley had raised £300, and is currently already more than half way to achieving his £1,000 goal.
St Nicholas Pre-school is a local charity, run by a parent committee.
It provides care and education for children aged between two and five, and relies on fundraising to provide children with engaging resources to support their early years education.
Finley’s Dad, Leon Rockall, says: “The pre-school supports children with all needs.
“With his cousins attending, it’s close to Finley’s heart, so if people would like to help and spur him on to achieve his goal, we would be ever so grateful.”
“I’ll keep walking in all weathers, before school, to school, and at the weekends, even in the rain,” says Finley.
To support Finley, and for more information, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Eppie-Howells
Or use the QR code.
For information about St Nicholas Pre-school, visit: www.stnicholas-preschool.co.uk
