Norwich charity walk doubles fundraising target

A charity walk organised by a Norfolk schoolgirl in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust raised double its fundraising target.

The five-mile Blue Moon Walk was organised by 16-year-old Rosie Van Raalte, who survived an aggressive bone cancer.

Rosie, from Little Melton, staged the event on September 10 in a bid to raise �10,000 towards a new teenage care unit for cancer patients. But thanks to her hard work and generous donations from the public to the hundreds of walkers who took part, this target was more than doubled.

Those taking part included ex-Norwich City winger Darren Huckerby, backed by his charitable organisation, the Darren Huckerby Trust, and extreme athlete Jackson Williams, who is currently training for a barefoot run across Australia.

The Teenage Cancer Trust has begun work on the new �2.5m ward at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, but almost �1m still needs to be raised.

'It's fantastic, I'm over the moon,' Rosie said. 'I think we've still got some more money to come in. We've raised double what we expected. We completely and utterly smashed it.

'I'm definitely glad we did it, it was worth all the hard work. We wanted to have a fun, enjoyable night which I think we've achieved. I'm really proud if what we did achieve and I want to thank everyone who helped us.'

Because Rosie has now finished her GCSEs and started sixth form at Wymondham High School she is unlikely to organise another event so large, but wants to continue raising funds for the TCT however she can.

'I've got so much work on I just dont have the time to do it, but I'll probaly do smaller things,' she added.

Are you trying to raise money for charity? Call reporter Matthew Sparkes on 01603 772439 or email matthew.sparkes@archant.co.uk