Nisa South Normanton customers help teenager achieve charity dream

Fourteen-year-old Skye Newton is among 30 youngsters from five Bolsover district schools who are busily raising funds to take part in a humanitarian expedition to South West Africa in July.

A student at Frederick Gent School, Skye had already earned nearly £2,500 – smashing the £1,500 target set for each participant by organisers NHS Hardwick Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Derbyshire County Council.

But customers of the Nisa supermarket have now sent Skye’s fundraising drive into orbit by handing over a further £1,000. Shoppers had agreed that a penny of every £1 spent should go to the student.

A cheque for the total was presented to Skye last week by store owner Syd Coupland, who had organised the collection.

Skye and fellow students will spend six days rebuilding a school playground in Namibia before trekking across the Namib Desert – the world’s oldest desert – for four days.

Skye’s other fundraising antics have included teddy bear and cake sales plus raffles and bag packing in a local supermarket. In addition, generous donations have been made by employees of Sherwood Truck and Van, South Normanton, where Skye’s mum Marcia works.

Marcia said: “I’m really proud of Skye for working so hard to raise funds. And she’s showing no sign of letting up. She’s even organised two raffles during the Easter holidays. In fact, she’s now set herself a new target of £4,000.”

The adventure is the brainchild of CCG chair Dr Steve Lloyd, who said:

“The expedition will benefit the health of our young people while broadening their cultural horizons and enriching the lives of the Namibian schoolchildren. They will also learn a huge amount about team work, risk management and fundraising.”

The other schools taking part are The Bolsover School; Heritage High School, Clowne; Shirebrook Academy and Stubbin Wood School. The mission is being led by the British Exploring Society.

Any local businesses or organisations interested in helping sponsor the project should call Charles Malkin on 01246 514971 or email [email protected].