Teen raises funds in super fast time
A teenager who vowed to raise £10,000 for charity after being diagnosed with a brain tumour is celebrating after reaching his total less than a year after starting.
Toby Nadal, 16, a pupil at The Minster School, Southwell, began his mission to raise £10,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust after being treated on the cancer ward at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham.
Toby, of Highfields Drive, Bilsthorpe, was concerned about the lack of entertainment and other equipment for young people and set out 11 months ago to raise money to make a difference.
He has reached the total with fundraising events.
Toby, who has been diagnosed with an inoperable epidermoid cyst, still plans to go ahead with a sponsored cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats next year to raise even more money for the charity.
His mother, Mrs Dianne Nadal, said the total was achieved earlier than expected because pupils in each of the four houses at The Minster School agreed to support the Teenage Cancer Trust in the coming year after Toby did special assemblies.
She said: “They were blown- away by his presentation and agreed to accept the Teenage Cancer Trust as their charity for the year so they have been raising money through cake sales and other things.
“It’s that money, along with a collection my daughter, Jody, did at Keele University, which has brought us to our total ahead of when we thought we would.
“Toby is absolutely delighted.”
Mrs Nadal was grateful for the support the family received for the campaign, especially from current and former parents at Holy Trinity Infants’ School, Southwell, where she works, who formed a fundraising committee.
She said: “The parents didn’t even know who Toby was but they have taken the time out of their own busy schedules to help us and we have had donations from the community.
“The support we have received is something we will be forever thankful for, even after the bike ride is finished, and we will never forget that.”
Toby and his family and friends will have a charity stall at school after Southwell’s annual Christmas lantern parade on Saturday, December 15.
The cycling challenge will be held after Toby’s GCSE exams next summer. The organisers are seeking sponsors for the event.
