A JOINT effort between a nine-year-old girl and a community champion aimed to spread kindness in memory of a little girl.
During November, Lucy Pepper, a Coten End Primary School, ran a mile every day for charity Evelyn’s Gift – which supports those in need – raising nearly £600.
It was set up in memory of seven-year-old Evelyn, from Warwick, who passed away unexpectedly in 2013. As well as supporting the community throughout the year, on December 1 – Evelyn’s birthday, the charity celebrates ‘Be Happy Day’ by encouraging people to do little acts of kindness.
On the same day, Alex Pearson, Community Champion at Morrisons Leamington, took on a walking challenge. Along with her dogs, Archie and Chester, she walked 16 miles in memory of Evelyn who would have turned 16 on that day. The journey began at Morrisons from where Alex headed to Coten End Primary School which Evelyn attended and where she met fellow fund-raiser Lucy.
Next she headed to the midpoint at Charlecote park, where Evelyn’s ‘memory tree’ is planted.
Alex was met by supporters, including Evelyn’s parents Helen and Trevor Smith.
The journey ended at Warwick Castle where Alex was met by Warwick mayor Richard Edgington and Helen Smith who joined her to walk four laps of the castle courtyard to complete the 16 miles. So far Alex raised over £800 for Evelyn’s Gift.
During the walk Alex celebrated ‘Be Happy Day’ by giving out treats to people she met on her way to spread acts of kindness.
Evelyn’s mum and charity founder Helen Smith said: “Alex continues to support Evelyn’s Gift, as she has done from the start of the pandemic in many different ways. We will be able to continue to carry out more acts of kindness in Evelyn’s memory, thanks to Alex and Lucy.
“We have seen an increase in requests for help from social workers, health professionals and other organisations to support people for a variety of reasons, including illness, bereavement, poverty and children that are in need, so this funding is really important to us.
“We have been fortunate to have tremendous support from our community, with a number of fundraising events in December and we are looking forward to working on our plans for 2022 with Alex.
“Our family is very grateful for Alex’s hard work and commitment to remember Evelyn life and continue her legacy.”
Alex added: “Doing this for Helen and Trevor was a must. We have done so much this year for many charities including Evelyn’s Gift.
“On Be Happy Day I wanted it to not just be a charity walk, but to make it personal, so we went to key parts that mean something to Evelyn and her friends and family – Coten End Primary, Charlecote Park and Warwick Castle.
“The day was magical from rainbows to kindness and it was an honour to do the walk in honour of Evelyn and this amazing charity.
“I look forward to the new year and new challenges we have planned with Evelyn’s Gift and many others this coming year.”
