Fit Fern wins Comic Relief award for charity challenge

6 Aug 2019 09:17
Published by: Daniel Almond

 

A HORWICH schoolgirl's towering achievement has resulted in her getting a special award from Comic Relief.

Earlier this year, eight-year-old Fern O'Brien succeeded in running up hills to Darwen Tower, Peel Tower and Rivington Pike - all in one morning.

She set herself a fundraising target of £250 for the charity but, touched and impressed by her determination, family, friends and the running community dug deep and enabled her to make almost £700 in sponsorship.

As a result, she has received a Rising Star award by Comic Relief.

Athletic Fern's challenge saw her running a distance of 6.5 miles and a total elevation of 1,300ft - more than twice the height of Blackpool Tower.

Fern, who is a pupil of Horwich Parish Primary School, loves running and has been a member of Horwich Harriers since the tender age of five.

Her proud dad, Paul, who accompanied her on her three-tower challenge, said: "The award came as a complete surprise to her. She was shocked and thrilled.

"I think it's fantastic that they recognised her in this way, it's fuelled her ambition to keep on fundraising."

He added: "It all began with her asking me a lot of questions about Comic Relief and when she learned what it was all about she decided to use her love of running to raise money.

“We're all very pleased and proud of her, especially as it was a national award.”

Now Fern is already busy planning her next fundraising challenge and is considering doing a multi-park run.

 

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