*Please scroll for Welsh language press release / Datganiad Cymraeg isod "

WALES, 17 February A REMARKABLE young fundraiser from Denbigh is gearing up for a mammoth challenge during the school half term and will climb to the summit of Snowdon for Save the Children.

Eight-year-old Molly Holmes came up with the idea for the fundraiser after she saw TV adverts highlighting the charity’s work and decided to donate her Christmas and birthday money as well as some of her new toys to help other children. She then set her sights on climbing Wales’ highest peak for the first time and organised a sponsored walk.

Molly, who has a condition called Idiopathic Toe Walking and has to occasionally wear casts on both legs to stretch out her ligaments and tendons, will attempt the 1,085 metres challenge on Saturday, 26 February.

"I'm very nervous as I've heard Snowdon is a very big mountain and I think it’s going to be very difficult as I have problems with my feet. But I know I can do it and I think it will take me around four to five hours,” said Molly. “I’m looking forward to seeing lots of snow, nice pretty views and lots of mountain and then celebrating with my family after I’ve finished.”

“I’m hoping that my money will help children get medicine for when they're poorly, food for when they're hungry and clothes to keep them warm. I haven't decided what toys I want to give yet,” she explained. “I’ve already raised over £450 on my Just Giving page and I’m hoping to raise much more to help children around the world to have a better life.”

Molly will be accompanied on the day by her dad Daniel Holmes and uncles. “We are very proud of her and know how determined she is to finish,” said Daniel. “Her condition means that she struggles to walk flat footed and has to occasionally wear casts, which means that what she is doing is even more amazing.”

All proceeds will help fund the work of Save the Children globally and in the UK. Since the earliest days of the pandemic the charity has supported millions of children, adapting, and scaling up its programmes so that they can continue to be safe, healthy and learning. Save the Children is currently responding to crisis situations in countries such as Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen and to the impact of hunger and climate change on children in all corners of the world.

Children here in the UK have also been impacted by economic hardships and the charity has been able to help families by providing emergency grants for food vouchers and essential household items. Alongside many other UK charities Save the Children is campaigning for the cut of £20 to Universal Credit to be reversed as many parents are faced with difficult choices this winter between putting food on the table and heating the house due to rising energy and food prices.

Melanie Simmonds, Head of Save the Children in Wales said: “So many challenges lie ahead for children in all corners of the globe with the impact of conflict, climate change and the cost of living crisis making it difficult for them to thrive, to reach their potential and to just be children.

“Every penny helps in making a child’s life better and it’s inspiring young fundraisers like Molly who make all the difference. A heartfelt thank you and we wish you all the best on the day and we’re behind you every step of the way.”

To donate please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Molly-Holmes08

ENDS

For further information please contact contact Save the Children Media Team, +44(0)20 7012 6841, media@savethechildren.org.uk 

MOLLY YN DRINGO I GOPA'R WYDDFA AM Y TRO CYNTAF I HELPU PLANT ERAILL  

Mae merch wyth mlwydd oed o Ddinbych yn paratoi i gerdded i gopa’r Wyddfa am y tro cyntaf dros wyliau hanner tymor er mwyn codi arian ar gyfer Achub y Plant.

Fe gafodd Molly y syniad pan welodd hysbyseb yr elusen ar y teledu a phenderfynodd gyfrannu ei harian pen-blwydd a Nadolig yn ogystal â rhai o’i theganau newydd er mwyn gallu helpu plant eraill. Yna rhoddodd ei bryd ar ddringo i gopa mynydd uchaf Cymru a threfnu taith gerdded noddedig.

Mae gan Molly y cyflwr Cerdded Blaenau Traed Idiopathig sy’n golygu fod yn rhaid iddi wisgo castiau ar ei dwy goes o dro i dro er mwyn ymestyn y ligamentau a’r tendonau. Mae hyn yn golygu fod mentro i fyny’r mynydd 1,085 medr o uchder ar ddydd Sadwrn 26 Chwefror yn mynd i fod yn dipyn o her ond yn un mae’n benderfynol o’i chwblhau.

"Dw i’n nerfus gan fy mod wedi clywed fod Yr Wyddfa yn fynydd mawr a dwi’n meddwl ei fod yn mynd i fod yn reit galed gan fod gen i broblemau gyda fy nhraed. Ond dwi’n gwybod y galla i ei wneud ac y bydd yn cymryd rhyw bedair i bum awr i mi orffen,” meddai Molly. “Dw i’n edrych ymlaen at weld dipyn o eira, golygfeydd hyfryd ac wedyn dathlu hefo fy nheulu ar ôl i mi orffen.”

“Dwi’n gobeithio y bydd yr arian yn helpu plant i gael meddyginiaeth pan maen nhw yn mynd yn sâl; bwyd pan maen nhw yn llwglyd a dillad i’w cadw nhw’n gynnes,” esbonia. “Dw i wedi codi dros £450 yn barod ar fy nhudalen Just Giving a dwi’n gobeithio gallu codi llawer mwy o arian i helpu plant ar draws y byd i gael bywyd gwell.”

Bydd ei thad Daniel Holmes a’i hewythrod yn ymuno gyda Molly ar y dydd. “Rydyn ni yn falch iawn ohoni ac yn gwybod pa mor benderfynol ydi hi i orffen,” meddai Daniel. “Mae ei chyflwr yn golygu ei bod hi yn stryglo i gerdded yn fflat ac mae weithiau yn gorfod gwisgo castiau, sy’n golygu fod yr hyn mae’n ei wneud hyd yn oed yn fwy anhygoel.”

Bydd yr arian yn mynd tuag at hybu gwaith Achub y Plant yn rhyngwladol ac yn y DU. Ers dyddiau cynnar y pandemig mae’r elusen wedi gallui cefnogi miliynau o blant gan addasu a chreu mwy o raglenni i sicrhau eu bod yn cadw’n ddiogel, yn iach ac yn gallu parhau i ddysgu.  Mae’r elusen ar hyn o bryd yn ymateb i argyfyngau mewn gwledydd fel Affganistan, Syria ac Yemen ac i’r effaith andwyol y mae diffyg bwyd a newid hinsawdd yn ei gael ym mhob cwr o’r byd.

Mae plant yma yng Nghymru hefyd wedi eu heffeithio gan galedi economaidd ac mae’r elusen wedi gallu helpu teuluoedd drwy gyfrannu grantiau argyfwng ar gyfer prynu bwyd ac eitemau hanfodol ar gyfer y cartref. Gyfochr â nifer o elusennau eraill mae Achub y Plant yn ymgyrchu i’r taliad o £20 yr wythnos i’r Credyd Cynhwysol a gyflwynwyd dros gyfnod y pandenmig gael ei ail-gyflwyno wrth i nifer o rieni orfod dewis rhwng rhoi pryd poeth o fwyd ar ar y bwrdd a gwresogi eu tai wrth i gostau byw ac ynni gynyddu yn aruthrol.

Meddai Melanie Simmonds, Pennaeth Achub y Plant yng Nghymru: “Heddiw mae yna gymaint o heriau yn wynebu plant ar draws y byd gydag effaith gwrthryfela, newid hinsawdd a’r argyfwng costau byw ei wneud hi’n anodd i blant ffynnu a chyrraedd eu potensial ac i fod yn blant.

“Mae pob ceiniog yn help i wneud bywyd plentyn yn haws ac mae’r diolch am hynny i’r rhai, sydd fel Molly yn mynd ati i godi arian i gefnogi ein gwaith. Diolch o galon ac rydym yn dymuno’r gorau iddi ar y diwrnod a byddwn yn ei chefnogi pob cam o’r daith i’r copa ac yn ôl!”

Os hoffech gyfrannu tuag at Her Molly cliciwch ar y ddolen yma: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Molly-Holmes08

DIWEDD

Am fwy o wybodaeth cysylltwch gydag +44(0)20 7012 6841, media@savethechildren.org.uk