1000 miles done and the Big One conquered - I’m just getting started
A determined 15-year-old from Blackpool is proving that age is no barrier to ambition, as she completes her extraordinary challenge to run 1,000 miles for Make-A-Wish UK.
Rebecca Crombie is no stranger to pushing herself for a good cause. The 15-year-old pupil at Blackpool Aspire Academy is previously took on one of the resort’s most iconic attractions - the Big One - as part of a fundraising drive for housing charity Shelter.
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Dubbed “Walk the Big One”, the challenge saw Rebecca climb the 235ft rollercoaster structure at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, conquering more than 500 steps to the summit.
For many, the height alone would be enough to deter them. For Rebecca, it is simply another opportunity to make a difference.
Shelter works across Lancashire and the wider UK to support people facing homelessness and housing insecurity, campaigning to ensure everyone has access to a safe, affordable home.
Rebecca’s efforts will help fund frontline advice services and long-term solutions for those in crisis.
Remarkably, this is far from her only fundraising commitment. Rebecca has also just completed a 1,000-mile running challenge for Make-A-Wish UK, the charity that grants life-changing wishes to critically ill children.
Rebecca completed the challenge on January, 28. She said: “1000 miles complete for Make a Wish UK.
“Thank you so much to everyone for the comments, donations and shares. That's really helped a lot and I couldn't be more grateful.
“This has been a long journey and I appreciate those of you who've stuck with me and stayed till the end and will continue to support till the very end.
“£650 raised of my £500 goal for Make a Wish! However, this is not the end. I will be doing a bungee jump this year for Make a Wish UK so my fundraising page for Make a Wish will stay up and active till the end of this year in hopes of getting some more donations since we already smashed the target.
“I really do appreciate it and what a great journey it's been. There's still so much more I can do that I can't wait for you all to see.”
Balancing school life with training and fundraising would test even seasoned athletes, yet Rebecca has approached both challenges with quiet resolve.
Rebecca is now raising money to benefit ACCT UK in doing a marathon.
She said: “I will be pushing my body to the limits by doing lots of fitness and lots of training to run a marathon this year and I'll be doing lots of other unique, fun and challenging fitness challenges.
“I will be posting frequent videos here aswell. More information about ACCT UK: As the Army Cadet Force’s official charity, we exist to make life-changing opportunities accessible to all young people. Being a young person today is not easy.
“Teenagers are spending less time outdoors and are much less likely to have a strong family unit and community network compared to their parents’ generation. ACCT UK opens up opportunities for young people in the Army Cadet Force.
“Making them more resilient, more confident, more capable. So they can tackle life’s obstacles head-on.”
Her efforts have already inspired support from across her community with donations continuing to grow as she edges closer to her goals.