Leah Glover 13, raises money for Gloucestershire churches with help of pony Malcolm

LEAH Glover, 13, was rewarded this week for raising money for the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust with the help of her pony Malcolm.

Ailsa O'Connor, county organiser for the trust, presented Leah with the Whitbread Award for the most money raised by someone under 16. This is the second year she has won the award.

Leah, from Saul, raised the money by participating in the trust’s Ride and Stride fundraising event.

In 2008 she raised £235 while last year she collected £357 - a total of nearly £600 in two years.

"The Ride and Stride is the single biggest source of funds that we distribute to churches in need around Gloucestershire, so people like Leah are making a real contribution to the county’s heritage," said Ailsa.

"The fact that Leah has won the Whitbread Trophy for the most successful participant under 16 for two years running is a marvellous achievement."

The Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust funds repairs and improvements to churches in the county including work to buildings, contents and cemeteries.

Recent grants in Gloucestershire include £5,000 for re-roofing, £9,000 for tower repairs, £250 for installing a heating system and £1,000 for upgrading a church hall.

The trust’s main fundraising event is Ride and Stride which involves being sponsored to travel by horseback, bike or on foot.

Last year 13,000 people entered from 106 churches with each church raising £391 on average.

This year’s event is on Saturday, September 11, for more information go to www.ghct.org.uk * Sean Jarrett, 15, a pupil at The Crypt School, Gloucester, was on work experience with the SNJ