Daughter is fundraising in memory of dad, performing a new '40' themed challenge every day

Eleven-year-old Effy French is halfway through her month long fundraiser to complete a '40' themed challenge every day of January, in memory of her dad. 

Effy's dad Russell French would have turned 40 this month, so she has been inspired to complete a different challenge every day of January, each with a 40 theme, in aid of St Luke's Hospice. 

Effy French after her 40 tackles at Kingsbridge Rugby Club

So far Effy, a Loddiswell Primary School pupil, has completed 40 push-ups, 40 laps of a swimming pool, kicked 40 football goals, read 40 pages of her book, did 40 somersaults on a trampoline, and many more. 

During a training session with the Kingsbridge Rugby Club Under 11s team they all helped her in her challenge for that day, meaning Effy and her team mates all completed 40 tackles - that's 1,360 tackles completed before they'd even started training! 

Russell French

Effy, who lives in Loddiswell, said the hardest challenge so far was swimming 40 laps (not lengths) of a swimming pool, as well as 40 laps of her school playground, but that she was looking forward to completing her challenge for the rest of the month, calling her dad her "inspiration". 

This is the third year that Effy and her family have fundraised for St Luke's Hospice in memory of Russ and she has raised more than £1,000 individually, with her family already raising about £3,000 this year collectively. 

If you would like to see the other challenges that Effy has completed this month, or to donate to the cause, visit her JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/frenchiespage