Chesterfield schoolgirl raises hundreds of pounds for animal sanctuary by completing 5000m swim

Erin Revell during her visit to Pet Samaritans Animal Sanctuary to see how her fundraising money will help

Erin Revell, of Duckmanton, swam 400 lengths non-stop last month in aid of Old-Whittington based Pet Samaritans Animal Sanctuary and Wildlife Rescue.

The 10-year-old is a keen swimmer and before the pandemic was swimming four nights a week at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre as part of the City of Sheffield Junior Olympics programme.

She also has a range achievements under her belt having gained the majority of certificates from 10 metres through to the most recent 5,000 metre swim, for which she raised a total of £800.

Erin Revell at Pet Samaritans Animal Sanctuary as she presented them with a cheque for the money raised

Her mum Jillyann said: “We were asking John Sinclair, her teacher at Splashtacular Swim School in Barlborough, if Erin had all her badges and he said the next one was her 2,000 metres swim but he thought she was capable of the 5,000.

"He explained it would take about three hours so we asked her and she said she wanted to do it.

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"She’s obsessed with animals. Since we’ve been living at our house we have had a baby bird fly into our bi-fold doors which Erin put in a box and rescued, we’ve had a bumblebee with either a leg or wing missing, we’ve had a hedgehog, and the Pet Samaritans always take them in.

"We know Kate really well there and they’re just fab. Erin was adamant she wanted to help them.

Jillyann added: “For a 10-year-old girl, she’s got such a kind heart. She’s so passionate about her swimming and animals and me and her dad Richard are just so proud of her.”

On Friday, Erin visited Pet Samaritans to present them with a cheque for the money raised, which will now be used towards renovations at the Broomhill Road site.

Posting on Facebook afterwards, Pet Samaritans said: “A massive THANK YOU to Erin for being such a wonderful girl and using your talents to raise much needed funds for the Sanctuary.

"Thank you also to everyone who sponsored, supported and encouraged Erin to complete this amazing challenge.

“The money raised will be put towards the Wildlife Hospital renovation which we hope to complete later in the year.

“Erin has been made an honorary Wildlife Angel.”

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