A FIVE-YEAR-OLD East End girl is getting ready to put her best foot forward to coin in cash for worthy causes.
Poppy McLellan will walk 5k this weekend as she bids to raise much-needed funds for the NHS and Macmillan Caring Locally, a palliative care charity.
The Baillieston girl was inspired to take on the daunting task by fundraising veteran Sir Tom Moore, who raised more than £30 million for the NHS by walking laps of his
garden.
Garrowhill Primary School pupil Poppy has now raised more than £300, smashing her original £200 target, ahead of Saturday’s 5k.
Mum Gillian, 31, said: “We were out for one of our daily walks when she turned to me and said out of the blue she wanted to help.
“She had heard about Tom and what he was doing and wanted to do her part.
“She’s in primary one and it has been hard for her being off school.”
Poppy, who is normally an active member of the Girls’ Brigade and Rainbows, is determined to do her bit for those fighting Covid-19 on the frontline.
As well as for NHS Scotland, the youngster – who says she is “excited” about the challenge – was inspired to raise cash for Macmillan Caring Locally by Gillian’s cousin, who works for the Bournemouth-based charity.
Gillian, who is a pharmacy technician and married to 34-year-old Christopher, said: “We’re really proud of her and it’s great she wanted to do this herself at five years old.
“It’s really great she decided she wanted to raise money for these great causes.
“She is always wanting to help though and is really active in gymnastics and the Girls’
Brigade.
“She also enjoys going to watch her dad play rugby on a Saturday when they’re playing.”
Gillian added: “She originally set out to raise £200 but has already beaten that. We’ve now set a challenge to raise £500, so £100 for each year of her age.
“We’ve been doing a lot of walking lately and going down paths we never knew existed.
“She’s really excited about the challenge and can’t wait for it.”
Poppy is just the latest local to raise cash after being inspired by Captain Tom.
Earlier this month, we told of Renfrewshire’s own Tom Moore, who took on a fundraising challenge after seeing his namesake’s efforts.
To donate to Poppy’s cause, visit https://tinyurl.com/ya26nk2y
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