Girl secures cash needed for school zebra crossing

A schoolgirl's campaign for a zebra crossing outside her primary school has reached its fundraising target.

Amalie started her campaign more than two years ago while a Year 4 student at Leckhampton Primary School in Cheltenham.

She has since successfully campaigned for permission from Gloucestershire County Council for the crossing and secured £68,000 of council funding towards the total £75,000 cost.

Amalie, 12, has now fundraised the remaining £7,000 and the crossing is expected to be installed during the summer holidays.

The campaign began two years ago with a petition and has seen Amalie speak in council meetings where she successfully lobbied for the crossing and for most of the money needed.

Amalie said: "I really wanted to walk to school when I was in Year 4 but my parents thought it was unsafe for me to cross Church Road.

"I felt scared to cross it by myself as well because cars just drive past so fast and it could get really scary."

On securing all the money needed, Amalie said: "I feel really happy and proud of myself. I'm really excited for when they put it in."

Her father Paul said he was very proud of her: "I'm absolutely gobsmacked, really. What she's done here is to create a community asset that's going to have value for many years to come.

"It's an amazing achievement."

Amalie's fundraising effort recently received three anonymous donations which helped to bridge the £7,000 funding gap.

Paul said they have spoken to the council and the plan is for the crossing to be fitted during the school summer holidays.

There is even a plan for a grand opening in August.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.