Young Ada calls on kids to join 20-mile challenge for February

Ada Butterfield and her mum Emma, of Allerton Bywater, have decided to each run a total 20 miles in February to raise cash for the Children’s Live Disease Foundation.

Emma said parents and their children have signed up to take part after finding out about the virtual fundraising run challenge.

Dozens of parents and 160 children have so far pledged to take part independently, including 40 children from Ada’s school, Lady Elizabeth Hastings Primary School in Ledston.

The Butterfield family has raised a total of £48,000 for the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation by staging fundraisers and run challenges since Ada was born with rare liver disease, biliary atresia.

The disease means she will need a lifetime of treatment and possibly a liver transplant.

This included running 2.6 miles around Allerton Bywater last year after the London Marathon, which Emma and Ada’s dad Mick had intended to compete in, was cancelled.

People lined the streets to cheer on Ada and her parents to the finishing line.

And Emma said she has been “overwhelmed” at the amount of support for the February 20-mile-run challenge.

She said: “The aim was just to get a few kids involved. All the local sports have been stopped due to lockdown. This is going to encourage the kids to get out and keep fit and hopefully and rise money and awareness for a good cause.”

Emma said coaches and youngsters have got involved from Kippax Welfare Amateur RL Club and Allerton Bywater Miners Welfare Football Club.

It is £5 to enter the 20 miles in February challenge and each participant will receive a certificate and a medal.

To sign up, email Emma at [email protected] or go to her Facebook page under Emma Butterfield.

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