A fearless fundraiser from Walthamstow is encouraging fellow Londoners to start looking out for the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Despite being only 27, Lucy Clements has already run all-day live music marathons, walked a section of the Great Wall of China, volunteered at the 2012 Paralympics and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

Miss Clements has done all of this and more to support children’s charity Barnardo’s.

Now, after starting up as the charity’s community fundraising volunteer manager she is trying to encourage others to do the same.

Talking about her adventures Miss Clements said they have been worth every second of hard work.

She said: “I’ve never felt so vulnerable.

“On Kilimanjaro, just putting one foot in front of the other is so hard, and it’s impossible to speak to anyone because you’re so short of breath.

“I contracted a virus which it took nine months to get over. Climbing the mountain was definitely a good experience, but it was tough.”

Lucy was inspired to raise cash for charity and to work for Barnardo’s from an early age, as her parents fostered other children who had special educational needs.

“You’ve got to believe in whatever it is that you’re raising money for, or there’s no point in doing it,” she added.

“My parents were told they couldn’t have children, so they decided to foster. Then as soon as they stopped trying, I came along,” she said.

“I still keep in touch with some of them. One of my foster brothers wasn’t supposed to make it past the age of six, but he’s now nearly 40. The doctors thought his organs were going to stop working, but they never did.”

Lucy now works with fundraisers of all ages and backgrounds, including individuals and groups in schools, colleges and universities, in small businesses and in the wider community.

 

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Lucy Clements, 27, has been supporting Barnardo's through fundraising for many years

She said: “A lot of young mums and people with children come to us, because they feel their own children are very fortunate and they want to give something back to others who aren’t.

“If you’ve got an idea, just run with it. Once you have that initial idea, we’ve got the fundraising packs and we can help make sure everything is safe and legal, and help you turn the idea into a reality.”

To find out more about fundraising for Barnardo’s in London, email Lucy or call 020 8279 5990.