A YOUNG girl from Worcester has proved you are never too young to take up a new challenge – or raise money for a worthwhile cause.

While many children were enjoying the summer holidays, 11-year-old Bethani Minnis was busy raising £1,075 in sponsorship to climb 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) up Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales.

Bethani, who is starting at Chantry High School in Malvern this week, decided to raise the money for the Worcester-based children’s bereavement charity the Noah’s Ark Trust after two schoolfriends used the service.

While she was studying at St Clement’s CE Primary School in Henwick Road they were also taught about charity work, which spurred Bethani to do some fund- raising.

That is when she came up with the idea to climb a mountain for the first time with her Mum’s partner Adam Newell.

Mr Newell, a retained firefighter in Worcester, said: “She was really moved by what Noah’s Ark does. Bethani knows I have travelled across the world climbing mountains so asked if i could climb Snowdon with her. “ The adventurous pair, of Diglis Avenue, off Bath Road, took just under three hours to reach the summit.

Bethani said: “I enjoyed the climb very much although once we reached the clouds the climb got much harder and colder.

“Adam asked if I was OK to continue but there was no way that I would turn back until I had reached the top.

“I was very happy to get to the top and raise the money for Noah’s Ark but even happier to get back to the campsite.”

Mr Newell said: “We didn’t have the best of weather but Beth persevered and worked very hard in getting to the summit.”

The pair are now thinking of the next challenge they can do to raise money for the charity.

Stuart Potter, community fund-raiser for Worcester-shire, said: “It is lovely to hear what people will do for us and shows that people in Worcester do value the work we are doing and doing something positive about it.

“It was a tough challenge for her to take up and she did really well.”

For details on the trust, contact Mr Potter on 01905 745735 or visit noahsarktrust.co.uk.

l Your Worcester News and city bereavement charity Noah’s Ark Trust have launched a Towards A Brighter Future Appeal, which aims to find a new home for them.

The charity is currently expanding its services to help more children and their families who have suffered the bereavement of a loved one, and are looking for a property they can rent for a reasonable rate.