Autistic Kristian steps up to help children’s charity

A young charitable Doncaster boy, who has already raised hundreds of pounds for worthy causes, stepped up his game last weekend.
By Stephanie Bateman
Published 27th Apr 2020, 14:58 BST
Updated 28th Apr 2020, 09:43 BST
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Kristian Smith, aged 13, who has high functioning autism, decided that he would spend April 26 – the date when the London Marathon should have taken place – to undertake the 2.6 Challenge.

Mum Sue said he decided to run up and down the stairs of their three storey house 26 times in aid of the Children’s Air Ambulance, as: “Social distancing has put a stop on any raffles etc he may have done.”

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She explained about the charity: “All their shops and stores are closed at the moment so their funding is running low.

Kristian handing over his initial fundraising to the Children’s Air AmbulanceKristian handing over his initial fundraising to the Children’s Air Ambulance
Kristian handing over his initial fundraising to the Children’s Air Ambulance

“And as you know the service receives no government funding and rely totally on charity donations.”

Kristian, from Woodlands, raised over £700 for the Children's Air Ambulance last year by organising various fundraising events, such as a tombola and a raffle, a cake sale and a ‘guess the name of the teddy’ event.

He also set up on online JustGiving donation page to enable anybody who wished to support him to be able to do so.

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The Children’s Air Ambulance fly critically ill babies and children in-between hospitals so that they can get the specialist treatment they urgently need as soon as possible.

Kristian, who is a year 8 pupil at XP East school, Middle Bank, was inspired to begin his fundraising by his niece, seven-year-old Chloe Hadley, who had already been making money for the good cause.

Sue added: “Chloe told us about the fundraising she was doing as part of an initiative called ‘The Crew’. This was started by two girls who are the children of pilots for the Children's Air Ambulance.

“It is where children can decide for themselves what they would like to do to raise funds for the Children's Air Ambulance and, with help, carry out their ideas. Chloe has raised several hundred pounds. Kristian was impressed with Chloe's efforts and also as the charity is called The Crew he was interested because his school classes are called crews rather than classes.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor Kristian should visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kristian-s-2-6-challenge

Related topics:Children's Air AmbulanceDoncasterWoodlands