On this day: Jimmy's Farm Welly Walk raised £5,000

The Welly Walk event took place at Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park in Wherstead near Ipswich on Saturday, July 13, 2024 and was attended by about 150 people.

The walk was led by nine-year-old Mollie Smith, who was inspired to raise money for the children's appeal at Ipswich Hospital after her friend became unwell.

The event was organised by Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals.

Mollie and Alice with Puddles the Duck (Image: Submitted) Mollie and her friend Alice, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour and treated at Ipswich Hospital, completed the five-kilometre walk around the farm in their wellington boots.

Mollie's mother, Kirsty, said: "Mollie has wanted to take part in the Welly Walk for some time; she is a very kind, caring and supportive friend to Alice.

"Mollie’s brother Harry also had a friend with lymphoma who has thankfully recovered, but they have both sadly witnessed their friends undergo major treatment."

The event marked the end of the Welly Walk series and was one of the last activities for the Children's Appeal, which aimed to upgrade facilities at Ipswich Hospital's Children's Department.

The new-look department was due to open in late summer.

Emma Goodridge-Hobson and son Tristan who raised £570 (Image: Submitted) Dan Bailey, a senior fundraising manager for the charity, said: "We are extremely grateful to all of the participants and to everyone at Jimmy’s Farm for their incredible support of the Children’s Appeal over the last four years.

"The transformation of the department will make an incredible difference to the experience of our young patients and their families.

"We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part in the walk, as well as our sponsors and volunteers who made the event possible."

[From the East Anglian Daily Times of July 19, 2024]