Nine-year-old completes 24-hour fast to raise money for the food bank

Raffaella Rogers has raised more than £140 for Dartmouth Food Bank after challenging herself to a 24 hour fast.

Raffaella, 9, a pupil at Stoke Fleming Primary, has raised £144.50 for Dartmouth and District Food Bank by fasting for 24 hours after seeing a report on food banks on BBC Newsround. 

Raffaella's mum, Gemma Rogers, explained that Raffaella had been inspired after watching her older sister complete a fundraising challenge last year, and when she saw a report on the work of food banks on Newsround, she knew that was the cause she wanted to support. 

Raffaella Rogers and her mum Gemma with their donation to the Dartmouth and District Food Bank 

"I suggested the fast", explained Gemma, "I remember doing similar fundraising when I was at school, and it seemed to fit. Raffaella wanted to experience what it was like for people who couldn't eat every day.

"Raffaella is so caring and thoughtful and has such an amazing sense of morals. Although she did get a bit 'hangry' sometimes, you only had to remind her that the reason she was doing this was to help kids who didn't always get to eat everyday, that really helped her really she could do this."

Raffaella started her fast at around 3.50pm, after a large lunch, and then set a timer. Gemma made her scrambled eggs and toast and watched the timer count down and she had done it! She celebrated with a film with mum and some Halloween sweets!

Janet Kidson, trustee of Dartmouth and District Food Bank, said: "We, the trustees and volunteers of Dartmouth and District Food Bank are in awe of Raffaella for doing this. To do it without any challenges or projects, just because she heard a news report is amazing.

"This money will buy 12 bags of food enough for two to three days and we have to buy 95% of this food. It was a lovely thing to do, especially coming into a bad winter for some." 

You can donate to the Dartmouth and District Food Bank on their website here: dartmouthanddistrictfoodbank.org.uk/donate/