The Forester, Monday, April 05, 2010
Seven-year-old walks miles for Gloucester's homeless
LITTLE Ned Kilner was so upset when he saw a man
sleeping rough in the snow that he was determined to do something about
it. So while most people put their feet up over the Bank
Holiday weekend, seven-year-old Ned trudged through wind and rain from
the Forest of Dean to Gloucester to raise money. Ned walked 18 miles from his home in Ruardean to
Southgate Street in Gloucester – the base for homeless charity Gear
Projects. He set off before 8am on Good Friday and finished at
7.15pm that evening – a journey time approaching 12 hours.Ned, from Ruardean CofE Primary School, said: "I saw a
man sleeping on the road and because he would be cold in the snow, I
bought him a hot dog with my saved up money from helping mummy.
"He was very grateful. He said 'God bless you', so I decided to do a
sponsored walk for homeless people.
"The walk was very hard, because I'm only seven and
usually a seven-year-old can only walk up to about eight miles, so 18
miles was tough."
Ned was expecting to be accompanied on the walk by his
Jack Russell Sunny. But when he set off on Friday, two of his friends from
Beavers joined him. Charlie Rushworth, seven, walked with him all morning
before heading home. James Ashley, aged eight, also took part in the trek. Ned was hoping to raise money en route, and even carried
an empty Golden Syrup tin to collect any donations.
His mum Lou said: "He did so well, if everyone pays up he
will have raised around to £1,300 to £1,400 in sponsorship."
Brian Jones, chief executive of Gear Projects, said:
"It's quite humbling really to think of a seven-year-old boy taking this
time and this trouble.
"He's a star. He's an example of the number of people out
there who do care, and I think a lot of adults could learn a lot from
him."
Anybody who wants to give more money to Ned's cause can
sponsor him using a form at Ruardean or Ruardean Woodside Post Offices.