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Posted on Aug 31st 2010 12:00PM by Deborah DunhamFiled Under: Fitness, Motivation
Skye Leech
In a generation of increasing childhood obesity, juvenile diabetes and inactivity among our youth, Skye Leech is not your average 7-year-old. The young British girl just returned from the U.S., where she and her family biked more than 600 miles from Washington, D.C., to Pittsburgh, Penn., and back. What's more, they did it all for charity.
"We were looking for a fun family holiday that would allow us all to spend time together," said Skye's dad, Ben Parnell, who admitted vacationing poolside would not suit his active family. Instead they wanted long-distance bike trails for their first trip to the U.S. and found ideal ones on the East Coast.
"We were looking for a fun family holiday that would allow us all to spend time together," said Skye's dad, Ben Parnell, who admitted vacationing poolside would not suit his active family. Instead they wanted long-distance bike trails for their first trip to the U.S. and found ideal ones on the East Coast.
Traveling an average of 25 miles a day with her mother and father, Skye rode a total of 610 miles over the course of three weeks. "I wanted to do this because it was a real adventure, and I hadn't done anything like it before," she said.
"Skye is only 7, and we had to keep reminding ourselves of that," Parnell said about his daughter, who is also a swimmer and in good shape. "She got tired like the rest of us on some of the longer legs, but her muscles are developing nicely and by the end of the trip she biked 46 miles one day."
The family pulled all of their own gear in a trailer and camped out each night during their journey. "Trips like this allow you to really get to know each other," said Parnell. "We got to find out how we can work together as a team."
"I felt impressed with myself once I had reached the end," said Skye.
In addition to being an active getaway and a chance to explore a new country, Skye raised more than $750 to date for the Ellen MacArthur Trust, which uses sailing to inspire children to regain their self-confidence while recovering from cancer, leukemia or other serious illnesses.
"Not everyone is as lucky as we are in terms of their health, so it's important to help where you can," said Parnell. "Ellen MacArthur is an absolute legend, so we knew we wanted to support her charity."
In addition to helping other children who are ill, Skye is also a role model to her peers, reminding them to get outside and be active. "This was much more fun than watching TV all day," she said. "If you watch too much TV, you end up with square eyes" (a British saying that refers to the look kids have when they have been watching TV too long).
What's next for this young cyclist and philanthropist? "Cycling around Lake Ontario next year!" she said.
To contribute to Skye's fundraising, click here.
Speaking of vacations, how about training and traveling for a cause?
"Skye is only 7, and we had to keep reminding ourselves of that," Parnell said about his daughter, who is also a swimmer and in good shape. "She got tired like the rest of us on some of the longer legs, but her muscles are developing nicely and by the end of the trip she biked 46 miles one day."
The family pulled all of their own gear in a trailer and camped out each night during their journey. "Trips like this allow you to really get to know each other," said Parnell. "We got to find out how we can work together as a team."
"I felt impressed with myself once I had reached the end," said Skye.
In addition to being an active getaway and a chance to explore a new country, Skye raised more than $750 to date for the Ellen MacArthur Trust, which uses sailing to inspire children to regain their self-confidence while recovering from cancer, leukemia or other serious illnesses.
"Not everyone is as lucky as we are in terms of their health, so it's important to help where you can," said Parnell. "Ellen MacArthur is an absolute legend, so we knew we wanted to support her charity."
In addition to helping other children who are ill, Skye is also a role model to her peers, reminding them to get outside and be active. "This was much more fun than watching TV all day," she said. "If you watch too much TV, you end up with square eyes" (a British saying that refers to the look kids have when they have been watching TV too long).
What's next for this young cyclist and philanthropist? "Cycling around Lake Ontario next year!" she said.
To contribute to Skye's fundraising, click here.
Speaking of vacations, how about training and traveling for a cause?
