A CHATTY Carlisle youngster is preparing for a sporting challenge to raise money for NHS workers.
But mum Susanne Hayward says her 10-year-old daughter Anna’s biggest test will be a two-hour silence which also forms part of a five-day fund-raiser she is due to tackle next week.
Sport-loving Anna is enthusiastically picking up a gauntlet which was thrown down by her family. They suggested she donated some money she had earmarked for LOL toy dolls and accessories to the NHS Charities Together appeal recently given a massive boost by Captain Tom Moore and his garden lap walks.
“She considered it and that’s when we had the bright idea of her doing something for the charity because it meant that she had to put herself out,” said Susanne. “So she embraced it and we came up with the NHS fund-raising idea.”
On 11th May, Anna will tackle a Monday 10km walk, before a Tuesday 20km bike ride and a two-hour Wednesday home silence. She will then run 5km on the Thursday – hopefully ending just in time for the weekly NHS clap – before completing a further walk, run and cycle on the Friday.
During training runs with her mum she has gradually increased her distances.
“The silence is going to be her biggest challenge and she understands that because she talks an awful lot,” Susanne said. “We can’t even leave Anna to do her challenge in her sleep because she sleep talks!
“She gets up talking. She goes to bed still talking and during that time it’s unlikely she’ll be taking a breath – that’s how much she talks!”
Susanne, of Crindledyke, added: “I’m very proud of her because she’s doing something that’s not for herself, and she’s being selfless, which is quite a big thing for a 10-year-old.”
Anna has a new bike for her sporting challenge, and donated the proceeds of selling her old one to a fund-raiser which has already drawn great support from family and friends.
To donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/susanne-hayward2
