Summer Roberston appeal smashes its target raising £9,000
An appeal launched in memory of Shropshire charity volunteer Summer Robertson, who drowned while paddling in the sea in South Africa, has raised nearly £9,000 in just four months.
Summer's mum, Sarah Robertson, said she was overwhelmed by the level of support she had received after launching the appeal to sponsor a guide dog named and trained in memory of her daughter, who lived in Sundorne, Shrewsbury.
Mrs Robertson, a teacher at Sundorne School in Shrewsbury, said the original aim had been to raise £5,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind, but that target was exceeded in the first three weeks.
More than £8,600 has now been donated to the appeal in Summer's memory, and Mrs Robertson said it was well on course to exceed the revised target of £10,000, with several fundraising events still planned.
Dad John said the plan was to now increase the appeal target to £15,000, which would allow them to sponsor two guide dogs.
Summer, who worked as a customer service assistant at Hatfields Jaguar in Shrewsbury, had taken 10 weeks off to teach youngsters in South Africa about the dangers of drink and drugs.
She was preparing to return home at the end of the trip when she and fellow volunteer Alice Barnett were tragically drowned while paddling on a remote beach off Woody Cape in Port Elizabeth.
Mr Robertson, who works at as a foreman at CRF Sections in Tipton, said Summer was paddling in water just 40cm (15in deep) when the tide struck on December 4 last year.
"The sand from underneath them was suddenly swept away, and 40cm became 20ft," he said.
"She had finished her work out there, and was due to return home the following Tuesday."
Mrs Robertson said the charity Guide Dogs for the Blind was chosen because Summer was a keen animal lover who also enjoyed helping people.
"We wanted something that would combine the two," she said.
More than £1,500 was raised from the 500 well-wishers who turned out for Summer's funeral at Shrewsbury Abbey.
A charity auction night will be held at the Reman Sports and Social Club (formerly the Perkins Club) on May 30, with tickets price £5 available from Sundorne School, Hatfield Jaguar and The Coracle pub in Sundorne Road.
A quiz night will also be held at The Coracle on June 27, and a sponsored motorcycle ride has been lined up for September.
Mrs and Mrs Robertson have appealed for businesses to support the charity auction by donating items.
Anybody able to help can get in touch by emailing Mark.andrews@shropshirestar.co.uk
