Pupil's long run to help charity

​A big-hearted primary school pupil has helped dry her mother’s tears by organising fundraising to help children born ‘under not so lucky stars.’

​The pupil at St Robert’s First School, Morpeth, a member of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, is running more than 300 miles along with her brother and sister to raise money for Save the Children after she noticed a tear in her mother’s eye.

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​Sienna, 9, initially wanted to donate the contents of her money box to help, but expanded her idea to include her brother and sister Ben, 11, and Tamara, 13. They will be running 1,000 miles between them and aim to raise £5,000.

“Sienna noted that I had a tear in my eye after watching a news clip of the hunger and suffering children in Yemen and Syria are experiencing due to the war and years of conflict,” said mum Salwa.

“She had said she could walk 1,000 miles around the garden, like Captain Tom Moore, to raise thousands for the children. I explained our garden is small and she would get dizzy after ten miles, let alone 1,000 so she suggested running 1,000 miles but I said it was too much to do on her own.

“She told me she spoke to Tamara and Ben and they would split the distance to 333 miles each and run the final mile together. Sienna was so motivated and enthusiastic, it was such a kind gesture I wanted to support her. She is so determined to reach out, help and make a difference,” added Salwa.

The trio started their task on March 29 and have run more than 270 miles to date. They run every day after school and Sienna is encouraged to take a break for a day or so to protect her growing bones.

She even ran a mile with her classmates, school dog Honey and headteacher at St Robert’s, David Sutcliffe.

“As a school, we are so proud of Sienna and her siblings for taking on this challenge. They have all been at St Robert’s and their commitment and desire to support those children in need makes them an inspiration to others.

“It was an honour to run a mile in school with Sienna and her class. The school community has been fantastic with kind donations to support the charity. The efforts of all three will hopefully inspire other young people to act in a way that can make a difference,” he said.

Their uncles, a photographer and a graphic designer, created a web page, called My Little Heart to Yours (http://mylittlehearttoyours.com), with video footage explaining how the challenge came about and why Sienna and her family have become involved.

“They are all willing to dedicate a year of their lives to raise as much as possible for children in war-torn countries. They all truly believe that for every mile they run, they can save another child’s life. 

​“Although they can’t change the skies those children live under, they understand they can make their stars shine brighter and give them hope of a kinder world,” said Salwa.