Despite what you might think, there is no age limit on people’s ability to inspire. 

In 2020, Captain Sir Tom Moore showed us there is no upper age restriction; a centenarian could fill us all with awe and admiration with his charitable endeavours.

Nearly a full century his junior, Abigail Wattis has also proved there is no lower age restriction. 

In October 2020, less than a week after her eighth birthday, Abi cycled a full 37 miles to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, securing an incredible £3,936.25.

Now, in 2021, Abi has been named as one of BCH’s Heroes of 2021, in addition to being awarded BSH’s Young Fundraiser of the Year 2021. 

Just seven years old when she first formulated the idea for her sponsored cycle - ‘Abi’s Big Door to Door Bike Ride,’ Abigail was so awestruck by the care and kindness BCH gave to her brother Oliver during complex spinal surgery that she felt inspired to act.

The 37 mile endurance test was deeply personal, with the distance being from her own front door in Lower Broadheath to the front door of BCH. 

It is a distance even most adults would baulk at, but through a careful practice regime over the summer months of 2020, Abi built up her stamina and was eventually able to complete the feat in just seven hours on October 25 2020.

Abigail, Oliver and parents Matt and Lindsay were incredibly proud as Abi attended a virtual awards ceremony to receive her trophy; her name has also been immortalised on the red balloon wall of honour at the hospital entrance.