A York woman and a team of superheroes followed a five-year-old boy dressed as Marvel’s Black Panther up one of the highest peaks in North East Wales.
Gemma Lumley and a team of fundraisers from Wales, across the North West of England and Yorkshire followed Leo Richardson to the top of Moel Famau as part of the NSPCC’s Childhood Day celebrations.
Childhood Day is the NSPCC’s new annual fundraising event set up to celebrate the importance of play in childhood, with thousands of people across the UK having taken part in sponsored play activities to raise money for the children’s charity.
Leo, from Rhyl, set out to raise £200, but by the time he descended the hill, he had raised more than £730 for the children’s charity, with his fellow fundraisers from Bolton, Bury, Sandback, Wilmslow and York also raising money for the NSPCC.
Leo even managed to run the final few metres to reach the very summit of the hill, watched by his family and superhero friends.
Gemma, who took part in the trek dressed as Supergirl, said: “It was a hot day, which definitely made it tougher, but Leo’s enthusiasm definitely helped us keep going when things got tough.
“I’m still not sure how he managed to run the last few metres to the top, but he did brilliantly and we all raised a heroic amount of money for the NSPCC.”
Chloe Richardson, Leo’s mum, said: “Leo has not stopped talking about his Superhero mountain climb. He’s asking me all the time about his fundraising total.
“Doing the climb has really taught him about the NSPCC, so much so that he gave a talk in school about it. It’s been lovely getting donations from friends and family. Even complete strangers who have heard about Leo’s challenge, have donated. He’s a superstar in North Wales now! His younger sister, Evie, is also asking what she can do to raise money for the NSPCC.”
Leo’s great-aunt Rachel Walker is NSPCC Volunteer Engagement Officer for the North West and said Leo’s enthusiasm during the 1,821-foot climb inspired everyone in the walking party – which included members dressed as Eco Warriors, Supergirl, Superman, the Crisp Crusader and Rainbow Warrior.
Rachel said: “It’s been fantastic to come together as a group and have fun on the hills of Wales.
“Childhood Day was all about play and celebrating childhood. We’ve all had a long, hard 15 months and to come together in the sunshine to raise money for the NSPCC is just the tonic. Thank you so much to everyone who took part and sponsored the superheroes.”
The superheroes climbed for seven miles to reach the highest point in the Clwydian range, raising a total of about £1,000 – including an extra £50 from other walkers who had reached the top.
There’s still time to donate to Leo by going to
www.JustGiving.com/leotakesonmoelfamau or to the group at
www.JustGiving.com/superheroesonmoelfamau
For more information on how you can support the NSPCC, go to www.nspcc.org.uk
