A courageous Southport girl with cerebral palsy who is walking further than she has ever done to raise funds for charity is one week into her ‘12 Days Before Christmas’ challenge.
Ella Bowles is unable to walk without either a wheelchair or a walker, but is determined to raise as much money as she can for Dandelions Days.
The non-for-profit enterprise based in Scarisbrick, near Southport, uses horses to help children and adults to cope with anxiety, depression, confidence issues and general mental health wellbeing with the help of their lovely horses through Equine Assisted Learning.
Ella, who is studying Animal Management at KGV Sixth Form College in Southport, began her walking challenge last Saturday (13th December 2025) and is planning to carry on with her mission every single day until Christmas Eve.
The 16-year-old initially set herself a fundraising target of £1,000 but thanks to the huge generosity of local people and local businesses, would now love to raise £3,000 for the charity.
People can donate here: Crowdfunding For Good From JustGiving
Proud Mum Jenny Bowles said:
“We are all really thrilled by how it is going. It really does feel like a bit of Christmas magic with the fundraising as we had thought £1,000 was a big target and now we are really hoping we can raise another £500 to make it to £3,000!
“The people of Southport are truly wonderful and caring. It’s a special place.
“Ella has set herself a new fundraising target of £3,000 for Dandelion Days and she is so close to reaching it. Please consider supporting her incredible challenge by donating here: Crowdfunding For Good From JustGiving.
“She needs to raise another £500 in the next five days!
“Ella is now one week into her 12 Days Before Christmas walking challenge. So far, she has already walked over 25km, with a final target of 36km by Christmas Eve.
“Her legs and feet are sore, but she has kept going. Walking in sunshine and rain, during the day and at night, through Southport and Birkdale all to raise funds for a cause very close to her heart.
“Dandelion Days supports the emotional and mental health of children, young people and adults through therapeutic work with horses and ponies. It is a truly inclusive place, welcoming people with a wide range of needs, including physical disabilities.
“Ella has cerebral palsy and cerebral visual impairment and is unable to stand or walk unaided.
“Despite this, she is a valued volunteer at Dandelion Days and has been treated as part of the team from the very beginning, something that means the world to her.
“With Father Christmas and Rudolph keeping her company, Ella has already raised over £2,500. “With five days of walking still to go, she is now hoping the community can help her reach £3,000 by Christmas Eve.”
Ella Bowles said:
“The people of Southport and Birkdale have been amazing. Cars have been beeping in support, people have stopped to say hello, and so many have donated. We’ve taken lots of photos.
“Santa and Rudolph are a big hit with children!”
“I love seeing everyone out in town, please say hello if you see me. It really does make a difference knowing so many people support me and the work of Dandelion Days.”
Every donation, no matter the size, helps ensure Dandelion Days can continue its life-changing work. To find out more, visit www.dandeliondays.co.uk Please help Ella reach her Christmas goal.
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