A SCHOOLGIRL from Wotton-under-Edge has been running 5km every week, raising money to protect rainforests in the process.

Eight-year-old Angharad Turner has raised more than £400 for Bath-based Rainforest Concern after being inspired by school lessons to support the charity.

The Blue Coat C of E Primary School pupil is entering each Wotton parkrun event this month and is hoping to raise enough money to protect 10 acres of rainforest.

Inspiration for Angharad’s decision to take part in the gruelling challenge has come from her lessons at school where her class’s topic for this term is ‘Rescue the Rainforest’.

Since then, each Saturday in November, she has run the 5km Wotton parkrun with her supporters donating money to the charity.

Speaking to the Gazette, Angharad’s mother Chloe Turner, said that she was “very proud” of her daughter who, as the Gazette went to print, had raised more than £427.

“This all came about because of her work at school,” she said.

“Angharad set an initial target of £50 – which would be enough to protect one acre of rainforest – but that was beaten three times over within the first 24 hours.

“I’m very proud of her. It’s amazing for me to see her willing to put in so much for this charity.”

Angharad, who lives in Wotton, has successfully completed the first three 5km runs in November and, with just one Saturday remaining, is hoping to reach the £500 mark in donations – enough to protect 10 acres of rainforest.

To support Angharad’s efforts and for updates on her running, visit her fundraising page justgiving.com/fundraising/run4thetrees

For more information about the work of Rainforest Concern visit rainforestconcern.org