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Snowdon hike by mum who ‘hates exercise’ to help friend’s four-year-old achieve her dream of walking
04 Oct 2023
A Coventry mum of two who ‘hates exercise’ is taking on a Snowdon hike to help her friend’s four-year-old daughter achieve her dream of walking.
Kimberley Heath, 29, will be hiking up and down Snowdon on October 19 with her friend Jordan Allsop, 24 to raise funds for Effie Middleton.
She said: ‘Everyone who knows me knows I hate exercise – I hate even walking from pub to pub on a night out. Climbing a mountain is a big deal for me and there are very few people I would be willing to do this for. Effie’s mum Ellena and I have been friends since school and I wanted to do something to help Effie.’
‘I have started going to the gym two or three times a week and expect to do the hike in around six hours – possibly longer as I am not very fit! Jordan is much fitter than me so is generously coming along to help motivate me.’
Effie Middleton has triplegic cerebral palsy which affects her lower limbs and upper left limb, meaning she is unable to walk or stand up unaided. This, in turn, affects other aspects of her life and health including blood circulation, digestion and sleep.
She has recently been lent an Innowalk which allowed her to exercise daily, feel the motion of walking and build up her muscles and strength. Her mum Ellena, 29, is now hoping to raise £33,000 to buy Effie one of her own.
‘Effie adored the Innowalk – I could barely get her out of it! It works a little like a motorized cross-trainer. If she had one of her own it would do so much for her, improving her muscle strength, flexibility and independence, as well as all the other health benefits which come with being able to stand and move in an upright position.’
Effie's Mum
Effie’s family has already raised more than £15,000 from events including a 24 hour 100K challenge and a danceathon held at Effie’s nursery, Cheylesmore Pre-School.
Ellena added: ‘Effie is a typical little girl who likes doing all the things that most girls of her age enjoy, singing, dancing, role playing, messing around with toys. She’s very inquisitive and looking forward to starting school this year. An Innowalk would dramatically improve her independence and quality of life and we are really grateful for any support people can give in helping us buy one for her.’
The family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope which helps families fundraise for children like Effie with healthcare needs, where the NHS can’t support and provides charity status to benefit from gift aid, corporate support whilst also providing donor reassurance.
Gill Gibb, Tree of Hope CEO said: ‘We wish Kimberley all the best with her impressive challenge and the family with their ongoing fundraising for Effie.’
To sponsor Kimberley or to donate to Effie’s fund visit or https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/effies-independence/
