AN eight-year-old kept a family’s fund-raising tradition going by undertaking a gruelling walk from Worcester to Malvern.

Bella Bruce, of Barbourne, Worcester, walked from Manor Farm in the city to Malvern Town Football club on Saturday, November 16, to raise money for Children In Need, accompanied by her friend, Jaylen Woods, nine.

Accompanied by Bella’s mum, Annalisa Bond, as well as friends and family, the pair set off on their trek at 9am and arrived in Malvern two hours and 20 minutes later.

Ms Bond said: “I’m really proud of her efforts; it’s a very long way for anyone to walk.

“She chose this walk herself as she wanted to do something different. She certainly likes a challenge.”

And the pair received backing from a variety of people on the way who backed the good deed.

“It was a great day and we received so much support,”

Ms Bond said.

“We met police officers who gave donations, staff at Texaco garages donated, people from Elgar school of music donated, we passed customers at Malvern Spa who also gave donations and staff from Skoda, Malvern, also donated and even offered to collect the children if they got too tired.

“Along the way, cars were beeping and drivers shouting to show their support and the children waved to them as they passed.

“We have received so much support, so many donations and people showed so much generosity and we’d like to thank everyone.”

The walk was Bella’s third fund-raising event in three years, having baked and sold about 200 cakes for other charities.

But the youngster, a pupil at Whittington Primary School, Worcester, is not the first fund-raiser from her family.

Her mother sky-dived for St Richard’s Hospice two years ago and her 22-year-old brother, Josh Bond, who is in the Royal Marines Commando Reservists, has completed several charity events for Help For Heroes in recent years.

The pair hoped to raise £200 during the walk, but when all donations are received, Ms Bond predicts the figure will “exceed £400”.