Lottie R. will be one of Bloxham School’s Sacristans in September and is completing “Lottie’s Gr8 Adventures” 8 challenges, across 8 weeks, raising funds for three very important charities.
Lottie R. will be one of Bloxham School’s Sacristans in September, a senior role which requires the student to lead the whole school community spiritually and to live out servant leadership in a way that is encouraging, inspiring and challenging to others. She has already demonstrated many of these attributes with “Lottie’s Gr8 Adventures” fundraising challenges: 8 challenges, across 8 weeks, raising funds for three very important charities. To date Lottie has raised over ‘4,800.
‘Four years ago, I lost my cousin Caspar to epilepsy, so Epilepsy Research UK is very close to our hearts. I also wanted to fundraise for Mind due to the impact on mental health which Covid-19 is having on individuals during and after the extensive lockdown period. Lastly, I want to fundraise towards Bucks and Oxford Air Ambulance as it is a local charity I would like to support.’ ‘ Lottie.
Challenge one was a Danceathon that did not disappoint:12 hours of grooving from Lottie, her family and friends! Lottie completed a marathon across five days for challenge two, the first two days of this challenge she received bike support from friend Millia. After returning home, Wednesday saw her running alongside her godfather, John and was accompanied by friend and OB Freya (Ry 15-20) on Thursday. Friday’s final five miles were supported by Lottie’s father, Peter. Challenge three was to swim the English Channel in the pool – 21 miles in total, 160 lengths a day for 5 days! In Lottie’s words: ‘This was the week I was dreading the most!’
After three physically demanding challenges, Lottie took on a community service challenge for number four, connecting with elderly relatives who had limited social interaction during the lockdown. The week began with a visit to her Granny, who enjoyed Lottie’s homemade supper and conversation. On Thursday she began the preparations for her other Granny’s tea party which was hosted at home. ‘I made three different types of sandwiches, butterfly cupcakes, cupcakes and jam and lemon curd tarts.’
For her fifth challenge Lottie took on the Yorkshire Peak challenge. Accompanied by her mother and sister, Tuesday saw them climb Whernside, the highest of the Yorkshire Peaks. On Wednesday they planned to tackle Ingleborough, but high winds and rain rendered the climb too dangerous. They moved straight onto Pen-y-ghent where the weather was less volatile and at times the clouds would clear enabling them to take in the amazing views.
Week six brought all kinds of weather as Lottie took on the challenge of cycling the distance of London to Brighton. And after six weeks of focused challenges, Lottie made sure that week seven would include her beloved horse, Bart: ‘it was definitely a shock for him!’ Together with a variety of friends throughout the week, Lottie and Bart rode through sun and rain. The wind on Friday made it too dangerous to ride, ‘Therefore, we saved ourselves for Saturday and finished off the week in the sunshine’ riding a total of 12 hours across five days.
Her eighth and final challenge will be held this Sunday, 30th August , where she will complete a REPEATED TRIATHLON from 9am – 4pm, topped off with ‘a little bit of dancing in the evening, to go back to week one’s incredible danceathon and finish off with a bang!’
Reverend Duncan Weaver said: ‘This ongoing fundraising by Lottie, where she is giving of herself for others, is a clear example of why she has been chosen as school sacristan as she is someone seeking to live out the Christian ethos that is at the very heart of Bloxham School.’
You can follow her adventures on Instagram @lottiesgr8tadventures. Click here to donate to her donation pages for: Epilepsy Research UK , MIND and ‘Thames Valley Air Ambulance.’