Ridgeway youngsters raise £2,400 for Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice with eight-day marathon run

Sophia Mizler, 11, was inspired after seeing the remarkable fundraising feats people have been taking on during lockdown, and her brother Luca, seven, quickly got on board with the idea.

Initially hoping to cover the 26.2 miles in a single outing, the ambitious young duo eventually agreed to spread it over several days after dad Gary pointed out just how challenging it would be.

Grinding out the miles around their local streets, the intrepid siblings crossed the finish line to cheers from friends and neighbours.

Mum Louise, 35, said: “Everyone got behind them and when they did their final leg the whole estate came out to cheer them on.

“It was amazing and the kids absolutely loved it. They both absolutely smashed it and I’m so proud of them.”

The siblings chose to support Bluebell Wood after a conversation between Sophia and Louise, who works as a neonatal nurse at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

She said: “A family friend visits Bluebell Wood for respite care and I was chatting to Sophia about just how much they help people.

“After hearing many charities are struggling with fundraising, and realising just how much it costs to run Bluebell Wood, she really wanted to do something to help.”

The siblings started out with a £250 target, but quickly surpassed it with the support of their community.

As well as raising much-needed funds for the charity, their efforts gave the family a welcome break from home-schooling during lockdown.

Louise said: “We have two other children aged two and ten months so it’s been challenging at times, but this gave us something to focus on.

The dedicated duo, pupils at Ridgeway Primary School, enjoyed it so much that they are already planning a similar challenge next year.

Bluebell Wood fundraising manager Sally Baker said: “A huge thank you to Sophia, Luca and the whole family for their incredible efforts. It’s nothing short of inspirational and they should be so proud.

“The amazing sum they have raised will help us look after some of the most vulnerable children and families in our communities.”

If you want to help the hospice, go to bluebellwood.org.