A “DETERMINED” little boy is to take on a charity walking challenge after learning about the hardships facing refugees.

Felix Hursthouse, from from Storrington, near Pulborough set himself the challenge of walking 100 miles in March to help raise money for The British Red Cross.

The ten-year-old said he decided to do a fundraiser for the charity after learning about the plight of Syrian and Somalian refugees during a school project.

The Argus: Felix, 10 is raising money for the British Red CrossFelix, 10 is raising money for the British Red Cross

He said: “Completing this challenge has made me realise how lucky I am to have so much.

“I am happy to be able to raise money for a good cause.”

The keen walker has already smashed his £200 target and reached more than £700.

Felix has been walking three miles every day and has already covered more than 65 miles.

His mum Naomi said the response to her son’s efforts has been “amazing.”

She said: “We are really proud of him. He was nervous at first, but he has been so committed. He is now trying to beat his target.”

“We wanted to support the Red Cross because it helps people here in the UK, as well as around the world.

The family started walking every day on and around the South Downs near their home during the first lockdown, as a way of keeping active.

Naomi said that Felix, an only child, had “struggled” over the past year with his wellbeing after restrictions prevent him from meeting his friends.

But being able to focus on the fundraising challenge has been a “huge help” for Felix.

She said: “Felix is really benefiting from this. It’s great for his health and he’s getting a real sense of achievement from it.”

“And to be honest, it’s been good for my wellbeing too.

“We wanted to support the Red Cross because it helps people here in the UK, as well as around the world.

“And we saw they were talking about mental health during the pandemic, which has been an important issue for all of us.”

In Sussex, the Red Cross works with hospitals to help people return home after illness or injury and stays in regular contact until they can manage for themselves.

Its volunteers and staff also teach first aid skills, lend out mobility aids, such as wheelchair and bring support to people facing house fires, floods or evacuations, and to vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers.

Since the start of the pandemic last March, the British Red Cross has reached more than 1.5 million people in the UK with extra wide-ranging crisis support, including food or medicine deliveries, a coronavirus telephone support line and a Hardship Fund.

To support Felix and the British Red Cross, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/naomi-hursthouse