Sheffield Mum takes on 24-hour litter pick challenge to raise funds for charity

SAMANTHA Bough, Rebecca Watts, and Christine King have raised almost £400 in a 24-hour litter pick challenge to raise vital funds for Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.  

Having already completed marathon litter picks previously, the team took to the streets for a third time, picking litter across the city of Sheffield for 24 hours straight.

The 24-hour challenge began at 9am on 6^th July, creeping into the early hours with a final litter pick at 9am on the 7^th July.

The team of litter pickers scavenged across Sheffield, starting on London Road, heading to Western Bank, Gleadless, Manor Top, Mossway, and Crystal Peaks before finishing in Westfield.

Collecting 142 bags and filling a whole skip in Gleadless, the team was joined throughout the challenge by fellow litter-picking group Sheffield Litter Pickers and employees from Volkerail and gym-goers at the Station Gym in Manor Top.

Mum, Samantha Bough, from Westfield, Sheffield, understands first-hand how Sheffield Children’s can make a difference, with her son Thomas, aged 12, being under the care of the Rheumatology Team since he was just three years old as he suffers from Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

Experiencing pain in his knees, ankles, feet, toes, jaw, and elbows, Thomas has had weekly injections to help manage the pain since he was five years old. With ongoing care and treatment from Sheffield Children’s, Thomas can continue being his bright and cheerful self despite his diagnosis.

Samantha said:

“The Rheumatology Team at Sheffield Children’s is brilliant. They have done so much for Thomas and my family, guiding us through difficult times and Thomas’ treatments.

“We don’t know if Thomas will grow out of the Arthritis, but we do know he will be looked after the best way he can at Sheffield Children’s.

“Whether you’ve experienced Sheffield Children’s for yourself, you will probably know someone who has had to spend time with their child there. The work they do is amazing, and it’s so important to give back.

“We want to raise awareness of both fundraising for Sheffield Children’s and litter picking, we’re trying to look out for future generations in more ways than one, and fundraising through litter picking is such an easy and proactive way to do it!”

Having completed litter picks for other charities as well as bake sales and raffles for The Children’s Hospital Charity, Samantha is dedicated to giving back to Sheffield Children’s to help provide a healthier future for every child.

The Children’s Hospital Charity’s mascot, Theo Bear, is challenging children to take part in a litter pick themselves this summer. Challenge Theo invites you to take part in a litter pick, 5K, or sponsored silence to raise vital funds for Sheffield Children’s.

Find out more and sign-up by visiting: tchc.org.uk/challengetheo.