Luddington’s Lola walks 30 miles to help save children’s lives

A determined nine-year-old girl from Luddington has walked an impressive 30 miles in aid of the Children’s Air Ambulance (TCAA).

The Children’s Air Ambulance – operated by The Air Ambulance Service – is a national service which is changing the face of paediatric and neonatal care through the high-speed transfer of critically ill babies and children, flying them from one hospital to another for specialist care.

Lola Bennett signed up to #TheCrew – an exciting club for children linked to the lifesaving charity – and was eager to start a fundraising challenge.

“Joining #TheCrew sounded like a great idea, I really wanted to start fundraising right away,” said Lola.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Lola couldn’t undertake her first idea of arranging a tea party, so she decided to raise money by walking 20 miles throughout February.

“I asked my family and friends to sponsor me and then my grandad challenged me to walk an extra 10 miles to make the total 30, and if I did these extra miles, he’d sponsor me even more money – so I took up the challenge,” she added.

Lola walked the epic 30 miles around Warwickshire and enjoyed walking through the green and tranquil Heart of England Forest.

When asked why she undertook this impressive challenge for the Children’s Air Ambulance, Lola explained:

“The local Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance – which is also run by The Air Ambulance Service- helped me when I was a baby, and now that I’m nine, I wanted to help their Children’s Air Ambulance charity.”

Lola’s impressive feat raised over £300 for the charity.

“The charity is important to me and I am really proud of myself for completing the challenge and to have raised an amazing £309,” added Lola.

Youth Development Manager for TCAA, Anoushka Brown commented:

“Lola is brilliant by taking on such a tough challenge and raising a fantastic amount for the charity.

“We’re glad that she’s enjoying being a member of #TheCrew and impressed with how passionate she is.”

As part of #TheCrew, children can learn about saving lives, helicopters, medicine, fundraising, and how a charity works. The club offers advice and teaching on community work, volunteering, working as part of a team, and supporting good causes which form part of many school curriculums.

“I am so proud of Lola for completing her walking challenge. During lockdown, it kept us active and the fact it was for such an amazing charity made the walking so much easier,” Said Lola’s mum, Amy.

“Lola has also donated some clothes and toys to the local air ambulance shop in Stratford-upon-Avon and is already planning her next fundraising event and I can’t wait to see how she does,” she added.

 

#TheCrew is free to sign up to, and the charity will be launching an exciting creative writing competition this week for children across the UK to get involved in, with a chance to win some great prizes!