Malvern's Jude Jenkins rides scooter for Archie Foundation

Jude Jenkins, from Malvern, decided he was going to ride his scooter every day in April to help raise money for a charity that helped his family when his brother was born prematurely.

He came up with the idea after his younger brother, Brody, was born five weeks premature and the Archie Foundation stepped in to provide his family with accommodation and other help.

Jude's fundraiser proved to be a major success as he raised £1,130, riding his scooter around Malvern for all 30 days in April.

Jude [Second to left] with dad Alex [Left], mom Amy [Second to right] and brother Brody [Right] (Image: Amy Jenkins)

His mother, Amy, said her son's fundraising activity started after she gave birth prematurely to second son Brody while on holiday.

"We were in Scotland celebrating my dad's retirement when I fell ill," she said.

"Brody was born five weeks early so we had to stay in a NCIU (neonatal intensive care unit) and that's when we were put in touch with the Archie Foundation.

"They provided us with accommodation for two weeks, where we stayed in Aberdeen Hospital in a family centre. 

"They also provided us with a grant for a car seat for Brody because he was so small he needed a special car seat."

Jude's younger brother Brody [left] with born five weeks premature (Image: Amy Jenkins)

Explaining to Jude how the charity had given them a huge break, Mrs Jenkins said this sparked Jude's eagerness to give something back to the foundation.

"We started to talk about charity and I explained how, without their help, we would have had to pay thousands of pounds in hotel bills," she said.

"He decided he wanted to raise pennies by riding his scooter, I think he saw it as a good challenge."

Jude's aim was to raise enough money to allow another family to stay at the foundation, but ended up raising over four times his initial target.

"He's a determined little thing," said Mrs Jenkins.

"He fell off twice but rode every day, mainly around Malvern.

"We took to parks on weekends and other different places.

"His challenge was to do it every day, there was no specific distance.

"The Archie foundation were in touch through April and sent a t-shirt for him to wear.

"There was a great sense of community."

Jude stands at the finish line after completing his last scooter ride in April (Image: Amy Jenkins)

For his last scoot, friends, family and neighbours came out to cheer Jude at the finish line.

Mrs Jenkins said he was "very surprised" and "proud" at how much money he had managed to raise.

"I think it has sparked him to do other things," she added.

"We didn't realise there was a charity like the Archie Foundation until we needed help ourselves.

"They helped with petrol costs and other general costs - we want to get it out there that there are charities that can help.

"We are going back to Scotland in the summer to see the nurses that helped out and Jude will hand over the big cheque."