Community litter picks across Stafford help 10-year-old Edie raise money for Caudwell Children

A 10-year-old girl from Stafford is spending her days litter picking across the local area to raise money for a charity that has supported her and many other children like her.

Edie, who is autistic, set herself the challenge of litter picking every day until March to raise funds for Caudwell Children, a national charity that provides support to disabled and autistic children and their families. As of mid-February, she is already well into her challenge, clearing litter from areas around Stafford and Penkridge, with plans to continue throughout the month.

Her fundraiser, titled Edie’s Cleanup for Caudwell, is being supported online through GoFundMe, with donations helping to fund practical and emotional support for children with disabilities. Edie and her family have also said they are happy to take suggestions from residents about areas that need tidying up locally.

Why Edie is supporting Caudwell Children

Caudwell Children is the charity that helped diagnose Edie and continues to support other autistic and disabled children across the UK. Founded in 2000, the charity works to ensure disabled children and their families have choice, opportunity, dignity and understanding.

The organisation has supported children with over 650 different medical conditions and has provided more than £85 million worth of services, including assessments, equipment, therapies and family support.

Edie’s fundraiser is not only raising money, but also helping to raise awareness of both autism and the importance of keeping local spaces clean.

Community litter pick planned on the Isabel Trail

To help support Edie’s efforts and raise further awareness, Staffordshire Spotter is joining forces with “Edie’s Cleanup for Caudwell” to organise a community litter pick later this month.

The litter pick will take place on:

• Friday 28 February

• 10.30am

• Isabel Trail, meeting at The Range car park

Anyone who would like to take part is welcome. Participants are encouraged to bring their own litter pickers, gloves and bags if they have them, to help make the clean-up as effective as possible.

The aim of the event is to support Edie’s challenge, bring the community together, and help raise both funds and awareness for Caudwell Children while improving a well-used local walking route.

How to support the fundraiser

People who wish to support Edie but are unable to take part in litter picking can still help by donating online or by sharing her story to spread awareness. Updates about her clean-ups are also being shared on social media under @cleanup_for_caudwell.

More information on how to donate and support the fundraiser can be found via the GoFundMe page, with details shared in the comments.