Ben, 11, is keen to put his orienteering skills to good use

Sidmouth Herald: Eleven year old Ben Fisher will be taking part in a sixteen mile trek across Exmoor for Sense. Ben has so far raised over £700 for the charity with supports people who are deafblind but hopes he can increase that amount. Ref shs 17-16SH 1681.Eleven year old Ben Fisher will be taking part in a sixteen mile trek across Exmoor for Sense. Ben has so far raised over £700 for the charity with supports people who are deafblind but hopes he can increase that amount. Ref shs 17-16SH 1681. (Image: Archant)

A kind-hearted young sports star has turned his talents to helping those less fortunate by tackling the 16-mile Exmoor Challenge for charity.

Ben Fisher, 11, of Howarth Close, has already raised an incredible £700 for Sense – which works for deafblind people and those with sensory impairments - but he is not stopping there.

The Sidbury Primary School pupil is a keen football, rugby and cricket player, but had barely picked up a map or compass before he decided to embark on the tough challenge that takes place on Saturday, April 30.

In a team of four, Ben and his classmates will have to navigate the unmarked, rugged terrain of Exmoor, relying on just their map-reading and compass skills for direction.

His mum, Jo, is duty manager at The Anchor Inn and says Ben has been drumming up support for the charity among the regulars in the pub where he is considered ‘part of the family’.

“He is very sporty and is very kind-hearted and loving and does not ask for anything himself, but just wants to help other people,” said Jo. “He is doing the challenge with his school, but Ben decided to raise money for the charity as well. They had never really done orienteering before – at the beginning they went on an eight-mile walk and his teacher said Ben got the compass out and understood how to use it. He was using the map and really stepped up to the mark.

“A family friend then took him on an 18-mile walk and he came back raving about the landscape and things he had learnt.”

Speaking about his fundraising endeavours, Ben said: “I’m doing it for Sense because the other, bigger charities get a lot of support, so I thought I would go for a charity that gets less money and publicity.”

He said he is excited about the upcoming event and feels ready to tackle the challenge after recently learning how to map-read and use a compass.

The sports-lover said he plans to carry on raising money for the charity in the future.

Ben will proudly be sporting his Sense T-shirt when he strides out among the hundreds of youngsters taking part in the event organised by the Rotary Club of Exmoor.

Anyone who would like to offer their support can call into The Anchor, in Fore Street, where there are plenty of sponsor forms available.