Brighton author and illustrator Nick Sharratt walks 26 miles for 260 million children out of school

Award-winning author and illustrator – and Brighton & Hove resident – Nick Sharratt has walked 26 miles to raise money for the 260 million children around the world currently out of school.

Completing the challenge over two days, Nick’s walk took him along the South Coast, walking from Rottingdean to Lancing and back, via his home in Hove.

Nick is one of the UK’s most popular children’s illustrators. In a career spanning 30 years, he has illustrated close to 300 books for some of the UK’s most celebrated authors, including Julia Donaldson, Michael Rosen and Dame Jacqueline Wilson, as well as creating his own books.

Nick took up the walking challenge as an ambassador for Theirworld, the global children’s charity founded by Sarah Brown.

Throughout June, Theirworld has been calling on the UK public to help raise urgently needed funds for the millions of children currently shut out of school by donating or taking part in the walking challenge.

Even before the devastating effects of the pandemic, 260 million children were out of school and excluded from the opportunities available to children in the UK.

If governments fail to take urgent action, by 2030, half of all young people will lack the most basic reading, writing and numeracy skills necessary to find work.

By fundraising for Theirworld, supporters will be offering vulnerable and marginalised children all over the world – from Ukrainian refugees to girls in rural Kenya – a vital lifeline, and the chance of a better future.

Nick Sharratt stands on Brighton seafront wearing a Theirworld t-shirt

Nick Sharratt said: 

“Throughout my career I have seen first-hand the power that education has to transform children’s lives. That millions of children around the world don’t have the same access to school as we do here in the UK is simply wrong.

“I’m delighted to support Theirworld in their mission to get children back into school, and I hope that other Brighton & Hove residents will join me in taking up this challenge. Together we can help ensure that no child goes through life without access to quality education.”

Sarah Brown, Chair of Theirworld said: 

 “Education is the key that unlocks opportunities not just for children but for everyone. It drives healthier, greener, fairer and wealthier societies.

“The fact that millions of children around the world still have no access to school should horrify us all.

“But we have a chance to act now. Join Nick and the Theirworld team in taking up this challenge and taking a stand on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable children.”

How fundraising will help

Every penny raised from the walk will support Theirworld’s mission to end the global education crisis.

Money raised from the walk will help children like Nilia Soleimani who was just a toddler when she was forced to leave her home in Afghanistan with her mother, Shima.

Life hasn’t been easy for Nilia. Child refugees often find it difficult to interact and socialise with others. Away from their family and friends, in a country where they don’t speak the language, they often become withdrawn and struggle to communicate.

But thanks to Theirworld’s Heal Together project, which provides early childhood services to refugee families in Greece, Nilia is thriving.

“Ever since I started taking Nilia [to the Heal Together centre], she is very happy and more sociable,” Nilia’s mother, Shima, says. “It is very good for kids to be in a community. They’ll learn how to be together; they’ll learn to play group games together, to be kind to each other. In the end, they’ll grow to be more sociable.”

Prisca, from Congo, who attends the centre with her daughter Happiness, says she has noticed a big change in a short time.

“When she comes home from school, she tells me what they’ve shown her. She shows me what the teacher taught her. I’m happy,” she says.

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About Theirworld
Theirworld is a global children’s charity committed to ending the global education crisis and unleashing the potential of the next generation.

We aim to ensure that every child has access to the best start in life, a safe place to learn and skills for the future.

In 2022, Theirworld celebrates its 20th year of unlocking big change for children around the world. For more details on how we are celebrating our 20th anniversary, or to learn more about the organisation, visit www.theirworld.org or @Theirworld on Twitter.