Towering achievement: Naomi Townsend has raised thousands of pounds for charity
South Croydon schoolgirl Naomi Townsend fell over but picked herself up and finished her sponsored run last weekend, exceeding her fund-raising target, with £2,365 towards the Jamaican hurricane relief fund through her sponsored run in Ashburton Park last weekend.
“Even though I fell over and hurt myself, I didn’t give up because I didn’t want to let the people down who sponsored me,” the eight-year-old said.
Naomi ran eight kilometres – about five miles – during the course of last Sunday.
The money raised will be sent to the Rotary Club of Mandeville in Jamaica, who are co-ordinating relief efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl earlier this summer.
Seeing the impact of the storm, Naomi determined to do something to help. It’s not the first time that the schoolgirl has made a significant effort for good causes.
In 2022 she embarked on a mission that she called “Project 22”, using her own pocket money to buy ingredients to make food for rough sleepers and homeless people in Croydon, raising 100 times more than her original target.
A bit out of breath after completing her latest fund-run, Naomi thanked everyone who made donations, saying: “It’s brilliant that so many people wanted to help Jamaica.
“As soon as I am old enough, I am going to start my own charity to help the homeless and organise fun activities for old people and children.”
Lee Townsend, Naomi’s dad, told Inside Croydon: “As a family, we are extremely proud of Naomi, and as parents, my wife and I try to support Naomi’s vision, encouraging her to dream big and always consider how her actions impact the lives of others.”
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