West Yorkshire schoolboy Joshua Hoyle says his time home-schooling during lockdown made him realise how lucky he is compared to less fortunate youngsters.
As he started Year 10 early this week, Joshua resolved to do something to make a difference. He decided that he would collect sponsorship for taking the five-mile journey to and from school on foot, carrying an increasing number of schoolbooks each day.
Although he still has to study remotely, the 13-year-old schoolboy was keen for a return to some sort of normality. So, he gets up at 6.30am, walks to the school gates, takes a photograph, then returns home in time to do his schoolwork remotely.
Within days of setting up a JustGiving page and beginning the daily walks, he has already smashed his £200 target and has raised more than £500 for SHINE.
“I will also be adding a schoolbook to my bag each day, which will in the end add up to 32 books.
“This is to raise awareness and show how lucky we are compared to many others.”
Joshua adds: “Hopefully in the future, we will have a much more diverse and stable society with loads of opportunities for everyone.
“I would be very grateful if you could donate anything, no matter how small the amount, to go to the great charity SHINE.”
Joshua attends Shelley College, between the villages of Shelley and Skelmanthorpe. Depending on the route he takes, his walk is between 4.2 and 5.6 miles and takes between 1hr, 10mins and 1hr, 34mins.
Fiona Spellman, CEO of SHINE, said: “It made my day when I heard what Joshua is doing – he is an incredibly inspirational young man and everyone at SHINE is so grateful to him for his efforts. He has already raised an amazing amount of money which will make a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged children in the North. We wish him the very best of luck with his challenge.”
You can sponsor Joshua at his JustGiving page, https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joshua-hoyle
Anything raised during June will be matched by some of SHINE’s supporters meaning whatever you donate to the cause before the end of the month will be doubled. Please give generously.