Ellesmere Port: Nine-year-old girl raises £25,000 for charities

A nine-year-old girl, who says she hopes to one day find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, has raised more than £25,000 for charity.

Heidi from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, has been raising money for three years by taking part in challenges that have spanned thousands of miles.

She said she wanted to reach the £1m fundraising mark and was “always thinking” of what her next adventure would be.

Her father, David, said he was “very proud” of his “unbelievably selfless” daughter.

“She is just so much fun to be around, anyone who meets her thinks she is just fabulous, just so thoughtful, such a lovely girl,” the 48-year-old said.

“She doesn’t ever think she’s doing anything special, but whenever anyone hears her story they’re blown away by her attitude – she never stops.”

Heidi has raised money for Alzheimer’s Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and Claire House Children’s Hospice.

The youngster wanted to help after her great uncle was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2020.

Over three years, her efforts have attracted global attention, including a letter from the Princess of Wales congratulating on her charity success and an appearance on Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV.

The challenges began in 2021 when Heidi walked the 603-mile distance of Land’s End to John O’Groats, raising £16,500 for Alzheimer’s Research over 15 months.

This was followed by a virtual cycle from Paris to London in 2022, raising £7,000 for Alzheimer’s Research and Macmillan.

Her third challenge will see her use “Heidi Power” to travel the distance between the 12 stadia of the teams who formed the first football league in 1888, to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research and Claire House.

“Heidi Power” is any means of Heidi moving herself without an engine – walking, running, swimming or cycling for example, her family said.

She has raised more than £2,200 so far.

David said: “It is always amazing how much people support her, it is fantastic.”