Twelve-year-old Amalie Harris from Leckhampton has successfully raised £9,000 to help install a pedestrian crossing on a dangerous stretch of road outside her former primary school. This achievement caps more than two years of relentless campaigning and fundraising.
Amalie first proposed the installation when she was just nine years old, concerned about crossing the road near the junction of Church Road and Hall Road by herself. The crossing is needed outside Leckhampton CofE Primary School in Cheltenham to improve safety for children and residents.
The total cost for installing the crossing was estimated at £75,000. Thanks to local council grants, Amalie and her family secured £68,000. To cover the remaining amount, Amalie and her father, Paul Harris, launched a GoFundMe campaign. After 2.5 years and over 200 generous donations, they surpassed their target, raising £9,000.
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With the funding in place, construction is set to begin soon, aiming for completion by the end of August, just in time for the new school year. Paul’s pride in his daughter is clear: “Amalie is over the moon. She has worked incredibly hard to secure this valuable community asset. This experience has helped her grow into a confident young person with a bright future ahead.”
Amalie’s dedication extended beyond fundraising—she spoke at the Gloucestershire County Council cabinet in Gloucester, advocating for the crossing, and received an award at her primary school for her efforts. Now in secondary school, she’s poised to receive further recognition for her contribution to the community.
Paul expressed heartfelt thanks to the more than 200 donors who supported the campaign, especially during challenging economic times. “Their generosity means so much to all of us,” he said.
Preparations are underway for necessary surveys and procedures before construction begins. Plans are in place for an official unveiling ceremony in August, attended by local councillor Martin Horwood, who praised Amalie as “absolutely fantastic” and a “brilliant figurehead for the campaign” for her community spirit and determination.