A schoolboy from Bath has raised more than £1,000 for charity over the summer holidays during a special walking challenge which also saw him litter picking.
The litter picking group with Eddie Lynn (2nd from the left) | Photo © Julian House / Rachel Avent
When Eddie Lynn decided he wanted to get fit, he thought he would try and do something good for his community at the same time.
What started as a 5k walking challenge, whilst litter picking streets where he lives in Fox Hill, ended 30 days later with a community event with friends and family members and over £1,000 raised for Julian House.
Eddie set himself the target of walking every day for 30 days and with the help of his mum Rose, he set up a JustGiving page with a target of raising £50.
Walking 5k for Eddie is a real challenge. He has undergone multiple surgeries recently to realign his knees, a hereditary condition both he and his sister have endured since birth.
With the goal of being able to walk to school in September, he set off with a litter picker in hand, borrowed from Bath & North East Somerset Council, and a bin bag.
His fundraising target was soon smashed and very quickly he was walking further every day and picking up bags of litter as he went.
Eddie said: “There were days I didn’t feel I could do it, but I thought about all the people supporting me, and all the people it will help.
“I remember once at Christmas, we gave our loose change to one homeless person, but along the road there was another and we didn’t have any more money to give them.
“It’s not fair that some people have nowhere to go, everyone deserves and needs a place to feel safe.”
Rachel Avent from Julian House said: “When I first heard of Eddie’s mission, I was so impressed by his resilience and commitment to raising money at the same time.
“I don’t think he knew at the time just how far it would take him over the summer. I was thrilled to be able to join him on day 30 when, surrounded by his best mates and family, he was able to walk the route he will take to school in September. He is such an inspiration!
“The fact he also raised over £1000 for Julian House and made the streets of Fox Hill cleaner, was a real bonus.
“All the money he raised will be going directly to support the Julian House hostel on Manvers Street who have been hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis this year.”
Eddie’s fundraising page will remain open until the end of September.
