Mum and daughter are walking to highlight plight of child refugees

A mother and daughter team are raising money for child refugees through a sponsored walk to the sea from their home in Brede.
Erin and Katy SUS-160726-080150001Erin and Katy SUS-160726-080150001
Erin and Katy SUS-160726-080150001

Campsite owner Katy Weitz, 40, and her 6-year-old daughter Erin Colley were moved to act after watching a CBBC documentary about the life of children in refugee camps.

On Friday July 28 they will be undertaking a cross-country 10km walk from the village of Brede to Pett Level for the Save the Children Child Refugee Crisis Appeal.

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Already they have smashed their £200 target with generous donations from friends and family and hope to raise more on the way through collections.

Erin says: “The children who had to leave their homes because of war don’t have anything and they need our help.

“I think it sounds really horrible to have leave your friends and family and not be able to take anything with you.”

She says although she’s not keen on big hills she is confident of completing the hike as the pair have practiced long distance walking over the past month.

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Mum-of-two Katy adds: “We wanted to do something that was challenging but also highlighted the refugee experience.

“We are walking a long way from our own home on the July 28, but it is nothing compared to the distances many children have travelled, sometimes on foot, and often in dangerous conditions, to seek sanctuary and safety.

“We know that these children are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse in the camps and Save the Children does really vital work in providing safe spaces and helping to reunite them with their families.

“They also help them to get back into education. When I see children in the camps, my heart goes out to them.

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“I can’t help but feel they could be our kids that are hungry, scared and alone.

“We are so lucky that our kids don’t have to live through such traumatic and difficult times.”

If you would like to support Katy and Erin’s efforts and make a donation to the appeal, please visit their donations page www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=katyanderin&isTeam=true.

For more visit www.savethechildren.org.uk.

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