Teen with cerebral palsy walks for charity in festive challenge

Sixteen-year-old Ella Bowles is one week into her 12 Days Before Christmas walking challenge, which sees her heading out every day until Christmas Eve to raise money for Dandelion Days, a not-for-profit organisation based in Scarisbrick that supports mental health and wellbeing through equine assisted learning.

Ella, who has cerebral palsy and cerebral visual impairment, is unable to walk without the support of a wheelchair or walker. Despite this, she has already walked more than 25km through Southport and Birkdale, often accompanied by Father Christmas and Rudolph, with a final target of 36km by Christmas Eve.

Originally aiming to raise £1,000, Ella has now increased her fundraising target to £3,000 following an overwhelming response from the local community. She has already raised more than £2,500, with five days of walking still to go.

Dandelion Days uses therapeutic work with horses and ponies to support children, young people and adults experiencing anxiety, depression and confidence issues. The charity is fully inclusive and welcomes people with a wide range of needs, including physical disabilities. Ella is also a volunteer at Dandelion Days and has been part of the team from the very beginning.

Ella’s mum, Jenny Bowles, said the support from Southport has been overwhelming, adding that Ella is determined to keep going despite sore legs and feet, walking in all weathers and at all times of day.

She said the community’s generosity has felt like Christmas magic and that Ella is now hoping to raise the final £500 needed to reach her £3,000 goal before Christmas Eve.

Ella said people across Southport and Birkdale have been stopping to cheer her on, beeping their car horns in support and donating along the way, adding that seeing familiar faces and receiving encouragement has made a huge difference.

Donations to support Ella’s challenge and the work of Dandelion Days can be made via JustGiving.