News / charity
Boy who abseiled Avon Gorge raises £3,000 for Children in Need
Dante Valaydon-Pillay from Raglan, Wales has received praise and support from many with his impressive twelve month commitment to raising money for Children in Need.
The determined 13-year-old partook in 12 varying challenges over the past year.
Starting back in April 2022, Dante hiked up the Suger Loaf, one of the highest peaks situated in the Black Mountains in Wales. Dante repeated the hike for five consecutive days, despite alternating weather conditions.
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As a result, Dante managed to raise over £1,500 for charity and even won the Sir Terry Wogan Young Fundraiser of the Year Award by Children in Need.
The achievement earned Dante a trophy which was handed to him live on Blue Peter, an award that he said he is very proud to have been given.
Finding a joy in raising money for a good cause, Dante continued to test his boundaries and decided to embark on a different challenge every month for a year to raise even more money for Children in Need.
Such charity challenges have consisted of activities such as abseiling 210ft up and down Avon Gorge, canoeing a lengthy 20 miles down the River Wye and camping in his tent for a month.
Dante’s canoeing challenge fundraiser – photo: family
All for a worthy cause, these charity challenges have led to Dante receiving countless donations from people, which, in turn, have earned him numerous impressive awards.
In 2023 Dante was nominated for the Pride of Gwent Fundraiser of the Year Award, winning the overall Pride of Gwent Award.
Additionally, at the BBC Make a Difference Awards in 2024, Dante received a Highly Commended Fundraiser trophy, an excellent achievement.
Dante concluded his yearlong commitment to fundraising with a memorable piano and vocal performance at Southmead Hospital, Bristol that he spent several months rehearsing for.
Having perfected his performance over the Summer beforehand, Dante explained, “I wanted to give a musical performance for my final 12th challenge, but I didn’t know if I had enough time. Luckily, I managed to get it all done.”
Dante’s singing and piano performance fundraiser – photo: family
Audience members shared positive responses to Dante’s performance.
Comments included, “The music sounds great in the space” and “I stopped to donate because he reminds me of my sons. I wish him lots of luck with his fundraising.”
Over Dante’s two-and-a-half-year period of fundraising, he has raised over £3,000 for Children in Need, an extraordinary figure that has made supporters very proud of him.
Main photo: Family
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