West Sussex charity founder starts 80-mile fundraising challenge to mark her 80th birthday

Around the world in 80 days might be a bit much for Theo Ellert to celebrate her 80th birthday but she is certain she can manage 80 miles, to raise money for her charity Miracles, based in East Preston.
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In fact, Theo, who founded the UK children’s charity in October 1994, thinks she may even be able to cycle the distance a bit quicker.

She has set a £25,000 target for her Trike Trek and has already raised more than £3,000, after just one week.

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Theo’s 80th birthday challenge for Miracles will involve a daily cycle around the Littlehampton area on her three-wheeled trike, complete with bunting and leaflets, to raise money for families living in poverty and trying to cope with the added burden of often terminally sick children.

Theo Ellert, 80, is cycling 80 miles in 80 days for her charity MiraclesTheo Ellert, 80, is cycling 80 miles in 80 days for her charity Miracles
Theo Ellert, 80, is cycling 80 miles in 80 days for her charity Miracles

She explained: “In the early hours of Sunday, August 18, l940, one of the early Battle of Britain bombs fell on the hospital in Kent where I was born. I was rushed into the basement, where a label was tied around my ankles until the All Clear sounded and I was returned to my traumatised but very grateful mother. That was my first miracle.

“Eighty years on and I still very much believe in miracles, hence the charity I founded 25 years ago.

“But another miracle is needed now due to the Covid-19 lockdown. This has brought a living hell to so many families confined to their high-rise flats, trying to cope with extreme poverty and severely sick children, deprived of the simple luxury of fresh air, sunshine and the countryside in springtime.

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“For several years, Miracles has provided respite breaks, entirely free of charge for supremely needy families, in its two seaside caravans based in the beautiful Bunn Leisure Holiday Park in Selsey. During the lockdown, the park was closed but as soon as it is able to re-open, so will our caravans.

“However, Covid-19 has hit charities like ours very hard indeed. All our fundraising efforts have been severely curtailed and although the calls for our help have kept coming, our resources have been sadly depleted.

“It costs Miracles more than £25,000 per year to keep our caravans in operation. This is why your support is so important to us – and to the families who rely on us so heavily.”

James Burton, Miracles project director, said Theo had set herself the challenge of cycling 80 miles over 80 days, or sooner if possible, and given her success to date that was highly likely.

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He said: “She is doing it because her charity, like so many UK charities, has been slammed by the pandemic. Every single fundraising event we had planned this year, from marathons to dinners, has been cancelled, yet we are receiving more request than ever.

“We support children and their families living in poverty and we help them through crisis situations such as serious illness.

“Theo wants to raise just £25,000 which will ensure our respite break caravans can open up as soon as the restrictions are lifted. It means we can offer those families who have suffered the most during the lockdown a much-needed, restorative, break.”

Visit www.miraclesthecharity.org to find out more about the charity.

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Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TheoEllert to make a donation.

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