Foxlease: Protest walk over girl guiding centre closure

Amelie said she was 'passionate about the cause'

A 16-year old girl has completed a 30-mile walk to campaign against the sale of a girl guiding centre.

Amelie Haigh, a former girl guide, walked from Winchester to the site of the Foxlease centre in Lyndhurst.

The activity centre is one of fives being sold by Girlguiding UK, who are hoping to raise £4m from the sale.

Amelie, who started at the girl guides at the age of five, said: "If you believe in something enough, you just need to go for it!"

She carried out the epic walk with her mother, Isabelle, and her brother Ellis and in total they raised more than £1,775.

She said: "If me and my brother can do it, anyone can!"

The team of three set off on Monday from Winchester to Southampton Docks. Then they caught the ferry to the New Forest where they continued walking to Lyndhurst.

Brother and sister duo (L-R) Ellis and Amelie walked a total of 30 miles in 11 hours

Isabelle Haigh said: "Girlguiding UK made a decision to sell all five of their activity centres around the UK, Foxlease is our nearest one in the New Forest and the one that we've been to many times.

"I've been a guide leader for over 20 years, so we've taken our guides and rangers down there a lot camping, walking and for activities. We're absolutely gutted."

A spokesperson from Girlguiding UK said: "We are committed to adventure and it will always be a central part of our guiding ethos. Funds from the sale of the activity centres will be put into a designated investment fund to support activities, adventure for girls and for a range of purposes to invest in the future."

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