AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD girl took on a 10-mile trek through the Purbeck hills to raise money for children affected by this year’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Ella Lewis was so moved by the tragedy that she decided she wanted to make an effort to help, and after speaking to her parents Scott Lewis and Penny Le Mesurier they all decided on the walk.

The Lulworth and Winfrith First School Year 3 pupil went on a route with her dad from Creech and along the Purbeck hills past Corfe Castle and on to Old Harry Rocks.

There they met up with Mrs Le Mesurier and Penny’s four-year-old brother Harry before walking around the cliff to finish at the Bankes Arms near Studland’s South Beach.

Ella said it was windy on top of the hill on the way to Corfe.

She said: “I liked going past Corfe Castle.

“Near the end my feet started hurting but it was very good and I felt very excited when I got to the end.”

Ella said she wanted to help the people affected by the disaster that started on March 11.

The earthquake reach-ed 9 on the Richter scale and the resulting tsunami damaged the Fuku-shima nuclear power plant’s cooling systems.

Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes while hundreds were killed or injured.

Ella added: “I learned about it at home, at school and watching the television.

“I was worried about the children being hurt and losing their parents.”

Her mum and dad were beaming with pride after she finished the walk.

Mrs Le Mesurier, of The Triangle, Lulworth, said: “She took about six hours and the only bit where she started to wilt a little bit was near the end.

“I’m really chuffed – I’m a beaming proud mum.

“She wanted to achieve it and prove she could do it so she kept going.

“She’s got determination.”

Mrs Le Mesurier said Ella originally wanted to take on 20 miles but they managed to negotiate her down to 10.

She added: “She set her goal to do it and it’s her nature to want to help people.

“She’s a remarkable individual to do have done it.”

Ella has raised £100 so far and anybody who wants to donate can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/ Penny-Le-Mesurier0