Abigail, 9, and Toby raise dementia centre funds

The fundraising efforts of a nine-year-old girl from Tain have generated more than £800 to assist in the running of the Highland town’s Dementia Resource Centre.

Abigail Earl, a primary four pupil at Knockbreck

Primary School, completed two laps of her local housing estate each night over the course of six days in a bid to provide support for Alzheimer Scotland.

The youngster, who has Down’s syndrome, undertook the 2.6 challenge alongside her reliable canine companion, 12-year-old Toby.

The 2.6 challenge was set up as a way for people to support charities during the pandemic as fundraising events and charity shops were forced to halt.

Abigail was inspired to undertake the challenge and raise funds for Alzheimer Scotland to assist with the provision of day care in her home town by her aunt, who is the manager.

Her mother, Joan, said: “I’m so very proud of her. She was just delighted doing it. It may seem like it’s a short distance but each night we were going more than a mile.

“People were banging on the windows and waving saying how well she did.

“Her target was £150 and we reached that within the first hour.”

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/joan-earl

Abigail and Toby hit the streets in Tain