A courageous Southport girl with cerebral palsy has begun her ambitious fundraising challenge in the 12 days leading up to Christmas.
Ella Bowles is unable to walk without either a wheelchair or a walker, and says this ambitious challenge “would be further than I have ever walked before, and a significant achievement for me”.
She successfully completed the first day of her challenge on Saturday and now has another 11 to go.
The sun came out as Ella walked 3.2 kilometres in and around Victoria Park then along Lord Street in Southport town centre.
She then walked all the way to the Southport YMCA building where the lovely Imagination Station provided hot chocolates for all.
The 12 walks Ella will complete before Christmas are all to raise funds 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.
To find out more, and donate please go to:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jenny-bowles
Ella said: “I have moderate cerebral palsy, which affects my mobility in several ways, and as a result I am unable to walk unaided and rely on either a wheelchair or a walker.
“This December, I will be taking on a major personal challenge to test my endurance.
“In the twelve days leading up to Christmas, from 13th to 24th December 2025, I plan to complete a daily sponsored walk, aiming to walk 3km per day – 36km in total. If you see me there, please come and say hello!
“This would be further than I have ever walked before, and a significant achievement for me.
“Dandelion Days has had a life changing impact on me personally.
“I began as a service user at a time when I struggled with confidence and self belief. Over time, the support I received helped me build the strength to become a volunteer myself, and now I see every day the difference the organisation makes to so many vulnerable people.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity; it means the world to me.”
- To support Ella’s appeal please visit: Crowdfunding For Good From JustGiving
- For more details about Dandelion Days please visit: Equine Facilitated Learning – Help with Depression and anxiety | Dandelion Days
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