A YOUNG girl has set out to raise money for the NHS by running a half marathon in her street.
Lilly Israel, just 7-years-old, from Darlington has so far covered 7 miles and so far greatly surpassed her initial fundraising goal of £100, raising £1,108
After being inspired by Captain Tom Lilly held a fundraising cinema event in her home where she raised £17.00 for charity, but Lilly wanted to do more.
Barry Israel, her father, said: “She seems to have a bit of a bug for it now, she likes doing it. She has found something she enjoys.
“It was all her idea, after seeing what Captain Tom was doing she wanted to raise some money herself. We love it, we’re always trying to take pictures when she’s out and you can see in her face that she loves it. It’s great that she’s doing something for a good cause
"Lilly is a very active little girl and is out every night after school. She goes to Tiffany School of Dance, as well as brownies, swimming, gymnastics and Scottish dancing, so being in the house has been hard for her but she’s been a real trooper.
"She’s so excited and is more than up for upping it to a mile at a time marathon if it can raise more money for the nhs."
He added: “It was her idea to do it in fancy dress as well so that’s a bit of fun. She loves it, she’s even been drawing pictures for the bin men and post men to thank them.
“She wanted to go for a £100 which seemed like a massive target, and every day it was going up and going up and that was driving her on.”
Lilly runs from Lunedale Road to Barnes Road, Fulthorpe Avenue then back to Lunedale in fancy dress.
You can support her at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lilly-israel
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