A PAIR of Winchester teenagers have raised more than £1,500 for charity by walking 30 miles in two days.

Siblings Amélie and Ellis Haigh walked from Winchester to Lyndhurst to raise money for the charity Foxie’s Future, a CIO which is aiming to purchase the Foxlease Girl Guiding Centre in the New Forest.

The organisation was set up when it was announced that Girlguiding would be selling five of its centres by the end of 2023, with Foxlease one of the places listed to be axed.

MOST READ: 'He was our rock': Fundraiser opened to support family of man who died from cancer

Hampshire Chronicle: Amélie decided to undertake the challenge after hearing that Foxlease would be sold by GirlguidingAmélie decided to undertake the challenge after hearing that Foxlease would be sold by Girlguiding (Image: Isabelle Haigh)Amélie, 16, said that she was inspired to complete the challenge when she heard the news about the sale. A former Girl Guide, she visited Foxlease many times for camps, residentials and activities.

She said: “I decided that I wanted to do something difficult that would attract interest and mean more people would sponsor me.”

With her 14-year-old brother Ellis, Amélie plotted a route from King Alfred's statue along the Itchen Navigation to Southampton. Day two saw them taking the Hythe ferry across the water and cutting across the New Forest, ending their journey at Foxlease.  The 30 miles took Amélie and Ellis 11 hours to walk over 2 days.

The duo’s mother, Isabelle, has been a Guides leader in Kings Worthy for more than 20 years. She said: “When we heard that Girlguiding were closing the centres we were so sad. 

SEE ALSO: Organisers declare first poetry festival since the pandemic a success

“Foxlease is a place that is seeped in Guiding history, a place that young people of all ages can roam free, have adventures and make lifelong friends. With an increase in children's mental health, we need more of these places - no less!  I am so proud of these two - showing determination, resilience and passion for something they believe in.”

Hampshire Chronicle: Amélie at the end of her journeyAmélie at the end of her journey (Image: Isabelle Haigh)At time of writing, the fundraiser has raised £1,708.

Speaking after her walk, Amélie said: “It was a long walk, I can't believe we did it!

“I loved walking by the river, the peacefulness of the forest and the welcome we got at Foxlease!  There were moments where I got tired and lay on the grass, but the thought of losing Foxlease drove me on.”

To donate to the fundraiser or find out more about the walk, visit: crowdfunder.co.uk/p/walking-from-winchester-to-foxlease.