Battling Little Hulton fundraisers – dubbed Eliza’s Army – took on a 40-mile challenge to Blackpool Central Pier in support of Make-A-Wish.
Sixty supporters joined the trek on Saturday, November 9, in memory of seven-year-old cancer victim Eliza Rowley on the eve of what would have been her birthday.
The challenge saw the ‘army’ embark on the 40-mile route to help grant a wish for other children in need.
The money will be used to do their bit to ‘give back’ after people did the same when seven-year-old Eliza had the dream to go to Disney Land.
However, Eliza sadly died in March this year from cancer before she had the chance to see her dream come true.
The fundraising target was set at £2,000 to make other children’s wishes come to life after seeing first-hand the work Make-A-Wish does to help those in need of a little joy.
The walk was able to see a lot of support, with the current total standing at £3,760.
Following the walk, Natalie Lang, Eliza’s mum said: “Everyone just had a fire in their bellies to get going, but once we started walking, we couldn’t stop.”
Natalie revealed the thinking behind the unusual challenge that started at Eliza’s home and ended at the Central Pier, as she said: “It was Eliza’s favourite place, she loved being at Blackpool.
“She loved the lights, for us to walk 12 hours was nothing compared to what she went through the last 11 months.
“She went through hell and back and never once gave up. The money we are raising will make a huge difference to other people’s wishes.”
Eliza’s Mum continued: “Maybe we were a bit crazy to walk to Blackpool, to be fair, we thought it would be easier than what it was.”
The challenge started as just a close family fundraiser, but after a post on Facebook, the numbers grew very quickly.
“People came from everywhere to join; there was more and more asking to join it went from 20 to 60 within a few days.
“It wasn’t around the corner it was 12 and a half hours to Blackpool it was a big ask from us, and the amount that took part, even starting from different points, all was amazing and made it to Blackpool.”
Eliza’s Army had so much determination to get to the finish, with even Natalie’s younger sister, Bethany, also going the extra mile.
As Natalie said: “Bethany caught up to us, she was running on her tiptoes, she said there was no option, so had to ring for some Crocs.”
There was a point when Eliza’s Army felt they had no more left in them, but the bright lights of Blackpool’s see-front meant the end was in sight.
As she continued: “It got to the point when we were getting into Blackpool, and I thought I couldn’t do it, everyone cheered me on.
“I ended up in front with Justin (her partner), and we got to the finish line together,” she added: “It was amazing I was jumping up and down we were all screaming and crying.”
Make-A-Wish is a non-profit organisation that helps fulfil the wishes of critically ill children.
As she shared: “It is something I think more people need to do more fundraising for because people don’t know about it unless you have a poorly child.
“This is such a big charity, and it does help a lot of children they are screaming out for donations to help these poorly kids’ wishes come true before they get too poorly, and I’m hoping that we could send another family to Disney like Eliza wanted to go, but she couldn’t go her self.”
“Even the smallest of wishes or even going to Disney does cost a lot of money, and if we can help do that, we will be happy.”
The fundraiser has seen a lot of success, as the money from cash donations is looking to push the group over £4000.
As Natalie continued: “They just keep giving. The money is still going up, and we are going to make some wishes come true.
“I knew people would come out; I just didn’t think we would get to where we are now. It is mind-blowing that there are still kind people out there.”
The fundraiser has been essential for the Make-A-Wish foundation, and Natalie wanted to share her gratitude for the donations and support that they have received.
She added: “I just want to thank everyone who did the walk and took part, from support cars to walkers to the people who helped make things for the cars I just want to say a huge thank you.”
Natalie plans to do more in the future to help other charities that need a bit of help from Eliza’s Army to donate to the JustGiving page for Make-A-Wish. You can find it here.
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