A Moray youngster has conquered the region’s highest peak to raise funds for a kickboxing club close to her heart.
Evelyn Mitchell, along with other members of Weir Black Belt Academy (BBA), was given the task of taking part in a sponsored walk to raise £30 for the club.
However the Elgin six-year-old wanted a tougher challenge, so instead she decided to run up Ben Rinnes and raise £711 for the club – which has suffered from a loss of income during the coronavirus lockdown.
Weir BBA is using the cash to buy equipment, with a new mental frame to feature a plaque with Evelyn’s name on it in recognition of her efforts.
Mother Gemma Mitchell said little Evelyn would be “lost” without the club.
Mrs Mitchell added: “The club, like most, has been struggling a bit during lockdown.
“Sadly, many members began to leave and stop payments, leaving the club struggling.
“Evelyn was scared they were going to have to close down and decided something had to be done.
“At just six years old, she understands how people have been affected by the current situation – especially with me being on furlough.
“She has never climbed any mountain before, biggest thing she has climbed is Lady Hill in Elgin.
“But she really enjoyed climbing up Ben Rinnes.”
Mrs Mitchell said that the youngster had set the original fundraising target of £100 after being unsure how the efforts would go.
However, well-wishers helped her smash the target with ease.
The mum added: We started with the target of £100 thinking it was more than enough but, as weeks went on, it grew rapidly.
“She is always determined to do stuff bigger and bolder than any other child, though other youngsters have raised money as well.
“Walking around Cooper Park or a field wouldn’t have been enough.
“Now she is eyeing up other challenges to take on.”
Mrs Mitchell praised the kickboxing club, which Evelyn attends four times a week, for all the work members have done during lockdown.
She said: “They are the only club I know that used Zoom at the start of lockdown.
“When they did the first grading through Zoom, a lot of the kids were struggling so they made calls and visited to make sure kids were OK.
“After grading, they drove to everyone to get photos and give them their certificate and belts.
“Some people live as far as Turriff so they really went out their way.
“They even organised for an ice cream van and paid for that to say well done to all the kids for getting through lockdown.”
Now Evelyn is eager to tackle Ben Nevis or complete all the Munros in one day after picking up the hiking bug.
