How a 10k challenge by Brownies in Leamington helped fundraise training for female medics in Afghanistan

Working together was the key for Leamington Brownies who completed a 10k challenge in the dark.

In total 18 Brownies from Dale Street Leamington Spa, working in two bubbles, walked as fast as they could to see how far their bubble could go in the time.

Each girl managed 3.6km so the combined effort was 65km in the 45 minutes, with a top speed at one point over eight miles per hour.

The Brownies took up the challenge as part of the Linda Norgrove Foundation that has an annual 10k based in the Western Isles with participants joining in across the world.

Nicola Lomas, one of the leaders at the Dale Street Leamington Spa said: "Linda’s inspiring life was cut short in Afghanistan where she had worked devotedly with women and girls many of whom were prevented from accessing medical care.

"The Brownies had discussed why there was a shortage of women doctors and nurses even though many clever girls want to train."

Talking about the challnege, Nicola added: “The threat of showers and the dark does not put Brownies off, in fact it spurs them on.

“A fast pace for so long was not easy but the girls knew how vital female medics are in Afghanistan and had asked family members to sponsor them.

"Girlguiding is for all girls and women so the girls understood how important it was to do something in solidarity with our sisters in Afghanistan. I was so proud of them.

"Thanks to the £375 raised one girl’s dream will now come true of a year’s medical training."