Fantastic fundraising finale for Mia
Posted by admin on June 25,2020Ten-year-old Mia Richardson has made it to John O’Groats on her cross trainer – a 1347-kilometre ‘magic’ journey from Land’s End that has so far raised more than £18,500 for Blackwood House.
Mia ran the final 10k in front of a socially distanced and cheering audience of family friends, care home staff and residents on Tuesday (23 June). Cornwall’s Lord Lieutenant, Colonel Edward Bolitho, was on hand to present her with a special medal to mark her incredible achievement and other gifts included flowers, cake and her favourite Mr B’s ice-cream.
Mia’s parents, Bernie and Dan Richardson, have fully supported her endeavour during the last three months of lockdown and there were plenty of joyful tears, as well as smiles, when the family’s adventure reached its conclusion.
“We can’t even begin to describe how proud we are,” said Bernie, who is one of our carers at Blackwood. “Mia has never complained about getting on the cross trainer each day and has thrown herself whole-heartedly into her fundraising mission from the start. She set off with the aim of raising £500 towards the £7000 cost of an interactive magic table for residents and now has enough donations to buy at least three - plus a greenhouse - outright!”
During her ‘magic journey’, Mia has done dozens of broadcast interviews with radio and TV stations as far afield as Scotland.
“It’s all been for the Blackwood residents,” she said. “You can do different things with the tables and they’re really good for helping people communicate in a fun way. I found going on the cross trainer easy at the start, but it did get harder. I do a little dance whenever I get a donation and am really happy to have raised so much money.”
“What Mia has done is absolutely amazing,” said our CEO Anne Thomas. “The pandemic has been a very challenging time for my whole team, but Mia has helped us all stay positive. We can’t thank her and her family enough.”
Mia may have stopped running for the moment but her Just Giving page remains open. To donate, click here.
