Hertfordshire schoolgirl hits a thousand bounces and raises cash for military charity

A schoolgirl from Hitchin in Hertfordshire set herself a challenge of bouncing her basketball 1,000 times in a week, in order to raise money for the military charity that had supported her Great Uncle.

13-year-old Ellie-Mae Spencer, who has Autism alongside a number of other complex disabilities, was inspired to fundraise by Colonel Tom Moore’s achievements and decided to raise money for Blind Veterans UK because of the support they had given her Great Uncle, Dave, who had served in the RAF and passed away last year.

She says:

“My Great Uncle suffered from Macular Degeneration in his later years and I know that Blind Veterans UK did so much to help him. I wanted to do something and give back to the charity that had given him so much.”

Ellie-Mae’s mum, Sarah Spencer, says:

“Ellie-Mae was set a project by her school for VE-Day and this is what she wanted to do. It took a lot of perseverance and effort and she even received a commendation from the Head Teacher for the project. We’re extremely proud of her.”

Ellie Mae has raised £417 to date. If you would like to support Ellie Mae to raise even more money for veterans living with sight loss, please visit her Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/elliemae7

Blind Veterans UK has adapted its service to support its 5,000 beneficiaries, 90% of whom are over 70 and thus being advised by the Government to self-isolate. The National Support Service will help blind veterans through this period of social isolation.

Nicky Shaw, Blind Veterans UK Director of Operations said:

“Having to self-isolate, blind veterans need our help right now with daily tasks, such as the shopping, and constant emotional support through this difficult time. So we are temporarily changing our service and mobilising our staff to provide practical, essential support to help the most vulnerable.”

“There is so much that we can and must do to support blind veterans to help them maintain physical and emotional wellbeing, and to feel safe, reassured and cared for during this crisis.”

You can keep updated on Blind Veterans UK’s response to Covid-19 at blindveterans.org.uk/coronavirus where you can also find out more about supporting the charity to make this new service possible.

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