English Rose shows the way on Leicester walk

Submitted by: Steadfast news correspondent, 29th Sep 08

Ella Ingram starts the walk in Leicester's Alfred Place

The future of the English nation lies in its youth and plucky six year old Ella Ingram showed that the determined English spirit is alive and well in the younger generation.

Young English rose, Ella enjoyed a recent school walk for a local charity and was very pleased to “help the English” after her parents discussed the idea of conducting a sponsored walk in their home town of Leicester to raise funds for the Steadfast Trust. Accompanied by father Lee, mother Claire and Uncle Benny, yesterday (28th) young Ella completed the three mile walk starting in Alfred Place in the town centre to Saxon Street just off the Narborough Rd in Leicester’s south side.


Job done – Ella joined by father Lee (left), Uncle Benny (right) and stray Saxon who is enjoying his lunch.


The walking party stopped briefly for ice cream refreshments at the High Cross Pub. The walkers also came across a stray Staffordshire bull terrier and a search for the rightful owner proved unsuccessful. The Staffie was nicknamed Saxon and accompanied the party through to the end of the walk passing through the scenic Castle Gardens and stopping for a breather at the Bow Bridge over the River Soar.

As the photograph below shows the bridge is decorated, appropriately enough, with a White Dragon badge. It was across this bridge that the fateful Richard III departed on the 21st August 1485 on his way to the Battle of Bosworth, the last battle of the War of the Roses. He was slain on the 22nd and his body carried back across the bridge later that evening.


The white dragon appears as a badge on Bow Bridge

In total, on and off line the walk raised £250 for the Trust.

A big thanks to all the sponsors and well done Ella and family, you have done the English proud. Let’s trust that this is an inspiration to scores of other youngsters out there to help secure their future.