Eight-year-old fundraiser who walked 369 miles for her best friend has been named JustGiving Award finalist
An eight-year-old from Essington, Staffordshire has been named a finalist in the Rising Star category in this year’s JustGiving Awards, after taking on an incredible walking challenge to raise money for her best friend’s dream trip to Disneyland.
Alice Cadman’s best friend, Sophia, has been undergoing chemotherapy for the past two years. Knowing how much she’s been through, Alice wanted to do something special to celebrate when her treatment ends - so she set out to walk 369 miles, the equivalent distance from her friend’s home to Disneyland.
Starting on Monday 14 April 2025, and finishing on Monday 26 May 2025, Alice walked every day, clocking up the miles to reach her target. Her original goal was to raise £200, but her determination and kindness captured the hearts of her community and beyond - helping her raise £1,745.
Alice said: “My best friend is the most wonderful person in the world. She’s always so kind and makes me laugh. I wanted to do something really special for her after everything she’s been through. I hope this will help her have the most amazing time at Disneyland, because she’s always so brave.”
The pair love to play together, make up games, do their make-up, and watch TV with tea and biscuits - but their favourite pastime is getting creative with slime and kinetic sand.
Alice’s efforts have now earned her national recognition, as she is one of 20 finalists in this year’s JustGiving Awards, after over 18,000 nominations were made by the general public. To be nominated, entrants had to have used JustGiving to raise money for a charity or personal cause over the last 12 months.
The finalists were shortlisted by an internal judging panel from JustGiving, with four finalists for each of the five new categories chosen. Alongside the Kids: Rising Star category, the other categories are Endurance: Mind Over Miles, Influencer: Social for Good, Team: Stronger Together and Community: Outstanding Commitment.
Pascale Harvie, President and General Manager of JustGiving, said: “In 25 years, over £7 billion has been raised for good causes by millions of incredible fundraisers on JustGiving. The Awards is our way of shining a light on those extraordinary individuals whose courage, compassion and commitment inspire us all.
"With thousands of remarkable nominees this year, narrowing them down to just 20 finalists was no easy task. Alice’s story is truly heart-warming. Her determination to raise money for her incredibly brave best friend, Sophia, is nothing short of inspirational. Alice is proof that you’re never too young to make a meaningful difference.”
This year the awards coincide with JustGiving’s 25th anniversary. Instead of being recognised with a traditional award ceremony, JustGiving is now offering winners an immersive experience that they’ll remember forever.
The winners will be chosen by the public, with voting opening on Monday 11 August. Members of the public will have three weeks to make their decision, with voting closing on Sunday 31 August.
To vote for the winners of this year’s JustGiving Awards visit: page.justgiving.com/justgiving-awards-vote
To find out more about Alice's fundraising journey or to support her fundraising efforts, visit: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/alicesdisneylandwalkforsophia
