Dante’s challenges Singing anthem before rugby match next task for 12-year-old boy
ACHELTENHAM schoolboy is due to sing the Welsh national anthem this weekend as part of a 12-month series of charity challenges to raise money for BBC Children in Need.
12-year-old schoolboy Dante Valaydon-pillay has set himself the task of completing 12 charity challenges in the space of a year because he feels inspired from his own personal experience of his mother suffering from a stroke when he was just five-years-old.
Both Dante and his mum Frances were well cared for by kind family and friends but as he grew older, Dante realised that not all children are as lucky as he was.
Knowing this to be the case the young man now wants to help other children to get the same level of care and support that he did.
Starting his own fundraising adventure during Easter 2022, Dante’s quest to raise money for the much-loved BBC charity has seen him do multiple things.
So far he has walked to the top of Sugar Loaf mountain in the Brecon Beacons every day for five days solid accompanied by former professional England rugby player Ed Jackson to raise more than £1,500, which managed to see Dante get The Sir Terry Wogan Young Fundraiser of the Year 2022.
But that’s not all. Abseiling down the Avon Gorge in Bristol, joining a park run to compete 5k, winning the Pride of Gwent Fundraiser of the Year Award in 2023, baking more than 50 individual Christmas cakes for a care home (singing them carols too), volunteering at a food bank and creating his own art photos inspired by the meaning of the word ‘reflection’ - the list goes on.
Dante’s black and white photos highlighted by bright colours illustrated the darkness he experienced as a young child compared to how much brighter his life is now, a project that impressed The Wilson in Cheltenham who decided to display them on their own ‘Local Community Hero Wall.’
Hannah Taylor, Learning Officer at The Wilson said, “Dante has inspired us to make this a permanent space for community artwork with a worthy story, so you will leave a legacy here!”,
For Dante’s next charity challenge, he will sing the Welsh National Anthem solo at Rodney Parade stadium in Newport on March 23 as the Dragons play the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship.
Mrs Sutherland, Head of Art at Dean Close School said, “Dante can be highly commended for his passion and determination to take on so many different challenges and for already raising so much for other children who like him have benefitted from support when things are tough.
“Well done, Dante, keep up the amazing work you are doing!”
Well done, Dante, keep up the amazing work you are doing Mrs Sutherland