Tealby’s Tilly takes on marathon feat

Tilly crossing the line to finish her marathon challenge EMN-200705-134813001

After Tilly Baylis saw video clips of the 100-year-old walking 100 lengths of his garden to raise money for NHS charities during her online assembly, she was spurred on to follow his lead and take  on a fundraising challenge.

Tilly said: “He’s quite old and managed to do a really big challenge, and I’m a bit younger, so I thought I could do a big challenge too.

“I wanted to help and raise money just like he did.”

The sport-loving Tealby Primary School pupil particularly enjoys swimming and riding her pony.

She also likes to run with her dad and was part of the school’s cross country team, which was runner up at a competition before lockdown.

Tilly’s mum Amy takes up the story: “Initially, Tilly wanted to walk the entire perimeter of the farm where we live.

“Thankfully, after much negotiation, we settled on running and cycling a marathon in seven days instead - still a tough challenge that will probably end up being more difficult for me to complete than Tilly!”

Amy set up a fundraising page on Tilly’s to raise money for the NHS Charities Together fund, the same as her inspiration, Colonel Tom, whose final total reached more than £32 million .

However, Tilly set her sights a little lower - at £300.

Tilly alternated her daily exercise with walking and cycling, averaging almost  four miles for a run and  one cycle ride covering more than five and a half miles.

She completed the challenge last week and when she totalled up the distance covered each day, she realised she had actually done more than a marathon - 27.72 miles over the seven days.

And as of yesterday (Tuesday) her fundraising total was more than double her original target - at £786.

Amy said: “We would like to thank everyone who has supported Tilly in this fundraising challenge to support our national heroes working for the NHS, who are putting their lives at risk every day caring for COVID-19 patients.

“Tilly has loved reading the messages people posted on her fundraising page and she is amazed at how much she has raised.”

And how did Tilly feel after her marathon efforts?

“When I finished, I felt really good and happy,” she said.

There is still time to support Tilly with an online donation - maybe she could even top the £1,000 mark.

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/amy-baylis

• If you are taking on a fundraising challenge let us know on [email protected]