Three generations of the same family splashed out and managed to raise an ‘awesome’ amount for charity. Eight-year-old Edward Cottington was joined by dad Lee and grandad Graham at the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) Splash Out!, in Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds, on Sunday.
Adults and children had the chance to run, walk or jog through a five-kilometre course, tackling six inflatable obstacles, including wobbly floating bridges and ball dodges. The water-themed fundraiser raised vital funds for EACH, which supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and Norfolk.
“Edward, Lee and Graham completed the run and had a great time,” said Edward’s proud mum, Fran. “Donations are still coming in but they’re currently on £1,355. It’s an awesome amount of money and they’re so pleased. As a family, we’d like to thank all their sponsors and especially The London Masons Ashburton Park Chapter 4988 for its donation of £250.”
Norton CEVC Primary School pupil Edward was the driving force behind his family signing up for the Splash Out! He wanted to support the charity as Graham had prostate cancer while mum Fran is currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.
“As a family, we’ve had experience of cancer and he’s been on the periphery, which is why he’s so keen to support such a worthy cause,” added Fran. Lee, 44, is a landscape gardener while former marathon runner Graham, 68, is a retired British transport policeman who also served in the Army. He lives in Ashford, Kent.
There were 675 participants at the Splash Out! and the current total raised stands at more than £24,000. Money is still being added up and a final total will be confirmed later in the week.
Events fundraiser Hannah Forbester said: “It was so lovely to bump into Edward, Lee and Graham on Sunday. We had a chat after they’d completed the course and they all looked so happy and proud of their achievement. Rightly so, because they did an amazing job.
“Overall, we were delighted with the way everything went. There were lots of happy, smiling faces and it was a very special and memorable family experience. Everyone had a great time and we raised a significant amount of money, which will help us continue supporting families and caring for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across East Anglia.”
EACH is holding another Splash Out! on 17th September, this time in Huntingdon. For more information, head here.
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