A remarkable seven-year-old girl from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who has cerebral palsy and autism completed 14km in one day using her walker to generate vital funds for Haven House. 

Lily Blackburn completed her challenge in an incredible 4 hours and 50 minutes with the support of her sisters Lola and Lacy and mum Kelly and dad Adam. The trio sparkled in their matching pink outfits as they took to the country lanes around their home. 

Lily, who is a fan of ITV Mummy Diaries’ Greg Shepherd, saw the reality TV star’s Instagram post calling on his followers to take part in the virtual Sparkle Walk for the charity. 

Friday 15 May would have been the date of the hospice’s annual 10km walk but due to the COVID pandemic the event was cancelled. Greg, who is an ambassador for Haven House alongside his wife Billie, took to their Instagram pages urging people to support the charity by completing their own Sparkle Walk. 

Dad Adam said: “Lily is one of the most determined and toughest characters ever. What she has been through and what she has achieved at her age already is truly amazing. She is an inspiration to us all and I’m sure will be to many more in the future. 

Lily watches Greg on telly and finds him really funny and wanted to follow him on Instagram. That’s where she saw the charity walk and wanted to help and do her own one. We are so proud of her. She completed it with a smile.

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition that affects movement and co-ordination and tightening of the muscles, meaning it is vital to keep moving. Lily has been building her stamina day by day and in September hopes to complete another charity walk. 

Sophie Bragg, Events Fundraising Manager at Haven House, said: “Our Sparkle Walk is always so well supported and raises a significant amount of money for us. With the event cancelled this year, we wanted to still offer something fun for people in the community to get involved in, whilst following the current government guidelines. What a truly amazing little girl Lily is and what an incredible achievement. Not all heroes wear capes…the best one’s wear pink!”

The COVID-19 pandemic as had an immediate impact on Haven House with fundraising events for the foreseeable future cancelled and the charity’s retail shops closed. 

   

Sophie added: We are a lifeline to over 400 families in our community and they need us now more than ever. The hospice has never been more vital to children living with complex medical conditions, and their families, who desperately need support. Around 70 people took part in our virtual Sparkle Walk raising £3,000 for the charity. We wish to thank each and every one of them for stepping up for us during this uncertain time.