Nine-Year-Old from London Swims 100 Lengths for Charity Supporting Vulnerable Children
Nine-year-old Dea from Chingford, London, has just completed her 100-length swim challenge for the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children and has raised £535.00 so far.
The challenge took place on Tuesday 2nd April at Chingford Leisure Centre, where Dea accomplished her 100-length swim, which took 90 minutes in total, to fundraise towards creating Bright Spaces to support vulnerable children and families who need specialist support. Dea chose to swim for the Foundation and fundraise as part of the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children’s ‘100 Your Way’ campaign. 
In 2024 the Bright Horizons Foundation will open its 100th Bright Space in the UK to support vulnerable children. To celebrate this milestone, the Foundation has launched its 100 Your Way campaign, with a goal of raising £100,000. Whether people walk 100 miles, do 100 laps of an outdoor space, do 100 press ups, perform 100 acts of kindness, or sell 100 cakes, 100 Your Way is a year-long, 100-themed fundraiser, in which individuals, teams, workplaces and communities commit to fundraise towards this £100K target.
Dea shares her experience from the challenge: “I really wanted to get involved and support the Foundation by raising money to help children in difficult situations. I wanted to swim the 100 lengths because I love swimming and wanted to challenge myself at the same time, it’s even better knowing it’s all for a good cause!”
Blerina, mother of Dea and Regional Director at Bright Horizons said: “I am so proud of what Dea has achieved, she has raised so much money that will go a long way in helping provide a safe place for children to recover from the trauma of their experiences through play. The charity is close to our hearts, I have organised various fundraising events for the Foundation before, so it’s wonderful to see my daughter getting involved and supporting a great cause. Dea always wants to help others and she wants to inspire children her age to support the charity as well.”
The Foundation is focused on improving the lives of vulnerable children and families experiencing crisis and disadvantage. Its Bright Spaces are enriching play environments for children impacted by domestic violence, abuse, homelessness, parental imprisonment, and ill health, and are designed to help children heal from trauma through play.
Please visit our website for more details on the upcoming 100 Your Way campaign.