Sydenham 10-year-old fundraising for Gaza met Princess Anne

Her Royal Highness, the patron of Save the Children UK, met the young fundraiser from Sydenham, Amaya Rahman, at a lunch organised on Friday, March 8.

Amaya was moved by what was happening to children in Gaza, after seeing it on the news.

She organised a 'sleepout' in her school playground along with eight classmates, to raise money for Save the Children's Emergency Gaza Appeal.

The Princess Royal, who is a patron on Save the Children, gave a speech at the lunch (Image: Anna Gordon/Save the Children)

The friends raised more than £6,000 after braving freezing temperatures in their sleeping bags.

Amaya Rahman said: "It makes me very happy that one small act can create something so much bigger.

"Right now, there is a terrible situation happening in Gaza and the West Bank which has been going on for many years, and I think it’s time for change.

"Many children like me and younger, even babies, must face what war is like, what physical pain is like and most importantly, what losing a loved one is like.

"That is why me and some other schoolchildren at St Bart's, with the help of our awesome headteacher, had a sponsored sleepout to feel the discomfort of sleeping on the cold night’s street.

She added: "We know children in Palestine are scared and very sad, we hope our fundraiser for Save the Children will inspire others to do the same and do what we can to help."

The charity lunch on International Women's Day was hosted by Natasha Kaplinsky OBE, a founding member of the Women’s Network and an ambassador for Save the Children.

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The event welcomed inspiring women who had supported the charity's work over the years.

Guests heard from The Princess Royal herself, Natasha Kaplinsky OBE, and Save the Children UK’s Interim CEO Gemma Sherrington.

The day also had a dedicated photo exhibition showing women from a rural community in Guatemala.

The Princess Royal said in her speech at the event: "On a day like today we do celebrate the real difference that women have made and can continue to make but that is nothing new.

"Giving confidence to women and children in their families is something that Save the Children does better than anyone else.

"We need to give them the confidence to understand how much more they can do.

"And I am grateful for those men who also join us on that journey."

Amaya raised more than £6,000 with her friends for children in Gaza (Image: Anna Gordon/Save the Children)

Gemma Sherrington, Interim CEO of Save the Children UK, added: "We are delighted to be celebrating inspirational women who have contributed in significant ways to Save the Children over the years.

"We are incredibly grateful for the support of the many inspiring and generous women here today who help us to ensure every child gets the chance of a future they deserve."

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Ambassador Myleene Klass also attended the event.

She said: "Over the last decade in my role as an Ambassador, I have seen first-hand the difference each donation makes in protecting and improving the lives of children, so that they do not just survive but thrive."

Those looking to contribute to Amaya’s fundraiser can still do so by visiting the Just Giving page: Amaya and St Bart's is fundraising for Save the Children.

For more information about Save the Children UK, visit the website.