14-year-old friends take on half marathons in their own gardens and raise more than £2,000 for charity

Former Westbourne House School students Eden Littlefair and Zac Knight, both 14, have raised nearly £2,500 for The Sussex Snowdrop Trust with their 13.1-mile runs.

The duo decided to take on the 13.1-mile charity run after hearing how the charity was struggling to raise money after the cancellation of fundraising events amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Eden, who lives in Pagham Road, Pagham, is a year-nine student at Portsmouth Grammar School.

He said: “I would just like to say thank you all so much for your super generous donations which helped spur me on through the hardest parts of the run.

“I completed the whole run before lunch without taking breaks. My original aim was £250 but we absolutely smashed it.

“This has been one of my hardest challenges yet.”

Zac, a year-nine student at Seaford College who lives in Shipton Green, said: “I really want to thank everyone for their kind donations, I’m so pleased we raised so much money for the charity.

“To run 13.1 miles was more of a mental challenge than a physical one, but I love pushing myself. From mile seven to nine, it was really tough but my family took turns to run beside me and give me moral support.

“Taking this time during lockdown is an amazing time to do it, so if you want to do it then you definitely should!”

Di Levantine, chairman and co-founder of The Sussex Snowdrop Trust, said: “It is simply amazing that in this very anxious time the community is coming together.

“Eden and Zac took on a great challenge to run a half marathon in their gardens to help raise vital funds for nursing support for children who have a life threatening or terminal illness.

“Our nurses and counsellors are in contact with the Snowdrop families to provide essential emotional and nursing support, and, in some cases, financial help at this stressful time.

“The parents of the boys must be extremely proud of them, creating an incredible, positive initiative during this isolation to help others most in need.

“The Sussex Snowdrop Trust is so grateful to these wonderful boys for supporting other children in their community.

“I expect it will encourage others to do something similar and we look forward to this idea spreading.”

To donate to Eden and Zac’s JustGiving pages, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/eden-littlefair1 or www.justgiving.com/fundraising/georgina-knight4

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