Find local news in Kent

Home   Dartford   News   Article

Dartford Stone St Mary's pupil to hold half-hour plank to raise money for the NHS

06:00, 29 January 2021

A seven-year-old is facing the fitness burn to raise money for the NHS by holding a plank for 30 minutes.

Harley Bebbington, from Darenth, will be attempting the core strength exercise to raise money for nurses and doctors who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic.

Harley Bebbington practising his plank before the fundraiser on Monday. Video: Louise Rumsey

The Stone St Mary's primary pupil will be streaming his challenge live on Facebook on Monday, February, 1, at 6.30pm.

Harley's mum Louise Rumsey, 37, is a gymnastic teacher. She said: "Every day for his home learning he has been set PE challenges.

"One of these challenges was to beat his teachers in a plank challenge. Their plank was for two minutes, but Harley lasted 10 minutes before I told him to stop because we were running out of time!"

A plank tests core strength and involves maintaining a position similar to a push-up for the maximum possible time. Many struggle to hold one for a minute.

Louise said: "After realising his ability to do the plank so well, he wanted to do a challenge to not only push himself but also help the NHS.

Harley and his mum, Louise Rumsey
Harley and his mum, Louise Rumsey

"Harley said that the NHS has worked so hard to fight Covid-19 and that is why he wants to raise money for them.

"He's going to try to beat 30 minutes on the live stream, and see how long he can go for.

"I don't know where his ability to plank for a long time comes from. It's not something he even practices in general.

"Harley is always active and has a naturally strong core. He's recently started kick-boxing and horse riding, which he loves, but with the lockdowns he has to keep stopping which is frustrating for him as he has so much energy to burn."

Harley has already passed his £150 fundraising goal with £195 in donations.

Harley Bebbington with his dad, Lee, sister, Sky and his mum, Louise Rumsey
Harley Bebbington with his dad, Lee, sister, Sky and his mum, Louise Rumsey

If you would like to watch Harley's challenge, you can tune in live on Monday via his mum's Facebook page, here.

To donate, visit Harley's NHS Plank GoFundMe page here.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More