Bamford Brownies raise over £1,000 for charity

Bamford Brownies Jump Rope for Heart

Girls from 1st Bamford Brownies raised £1,064 for the British Heart Foundation by completing a sponsored skipping event.

Over the past two terms the girls have been celebrating 100 years of Brownies by completing the Big Brownie Birthday Challenge – a specially created programme of adventurous and creative activities each linked to a milestone year in the history of one of Girlguiding’s best known sections.

Part of the challenge involved the ‘Golden Hand Test’ which was introduced in 1953. There were many clauses involved in the test including skipping 30 times without a break. The girls enjoyed the skipping and after hearing about the British Heart Foundation’s ‘Jump Rope for Heart’ campaign, the Brownies decided it would be a great idea to raise money for charity whilst completing the badge.

The Brownies worked in teams on a number of challenges during their meeting on Monday 30th June, including a relay race, a one-minute skip and a long-rope challenge. The evening finished with the Brownies’ parents having a go at skipping themselves.

Amelia Collier, aged 10, said: “I had so much fun, my best bit was the obstacle course and watching the parents joining in with the skipping challenge”.

For their achievements in the challenges the Brownies were awarded medals and trophies. Harriet McKay, aged 8, was awarded the Top Fundraiser Award for raising £146.50.

Leader, Emily Chapman said: “I am so proud of all the girls, they all cheered on their team mates and were really enthusiastic even the Brownies that struggled skipping were determined to give it their best. We were blown away by the parent’s support and the amount of money raised”.

Jump Rope for Heart is the British Heart Foundation’s sponsored skipping challenge which encourages children and young people under 18 to take part in a physical activity that is fun, rewarding and heart healthy. The event also raises money for both the heart charity and the participating youth groups, who are able to keep 20% of the money raised.

The girls were presented with their Big Brownie Birthday Challenge badge by their leader at the sponsored skip event.