Knaresborough gymnast inspired by sister for flipping fundraiser
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Last updated Nov 11, 2020
Imani Jones with her young sister, who inspired the fundraiser.

A young gymnast from Knaresborough inspired by her sister has raised more than £1,000 for charity.

Imani Jones, who attends Harrogate Gymnastics Club, wanted to do something positive in lockdown so she decided to do 1,021 flips to help Shine 21, which helps young children with Down syndrome.

Her 11-month-old sister Felicity has Down syndrome so it is a cause close to Imani’s heart.

She started the challenge on Sunday and needs to complete an average of 50 flips a day to reach her target.

Thanks to lots of generous people donating in the first few days, Imani has already beaten her fundraising target of £1,021 and now hopes to raise as much as possible.


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Depending on the type of flip the nine-year-old gymnast performs, it can take between a few minutes to about an hour to complete her daily target.

Chris Jones, Imani’s dad, told the Stray Ferret her daughter started training in gymnastics at the age of four and had never stopped bouncing or flipping.

The money will go towards a £10,000 overall target to set up Shine 21 as a new charity in North Yorkshire.

Donations will go towards providing resources for people with Down syndrome aged below five as well as for speech and language therapy.

To support Imani, click or tap here for more details.

 

Imani Jones with her young sister, who inspired the fundraiser.