Chorleywood 21-year-old who survived earthquake fundraises for those affected 

A villager who survived the Indonesian earthquake last summer is set to run the Bath Half Marathon to raise money for those affected by the disaster.

21-year-old, Ella Walton, who has lived in Chorleywood all her life, was celebrating her 21st birthday in Lombok with her younger brother Josh when it was hit by an earthquake, which resulted in over 550 people to lose their lives and thousands more injured. 

Ella and Josh miraculously were unscathed after the quake, which Ella has described as a “miracle”.

She said: “Every morning I wake up reminded of the miracle that saved my brother and I, just thankful of the day I have ahead of me. 

“Though we survived, so many people around us didn’t and their families are mourning, and still picking up the pieces of their shattered lives.”

Since the earthquake, Ella has decided to fundraise for those who were affected after she saw first-hand the need for food, shelter and basic resources. 

A month later, a second earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, triggering a tsunami which claimed the lives of over 2,100 people and left hundreds of thousands more in need of food, clean water, first aid and shelter.

Ella ran the marathon in support of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Indonesia Tsunami Appeal. The DEC is a committee of 14 of the UK’s leading charities that work together to raise money, provide and deliver aid through successful appeals. 

In just two weeks of launching the appeal, over £17million was raised.

Ella explained: “When I returned home following the first earthquake, I donated to an emergency appeal by children’s charity World Vision UK. But I felt compelled to do more and decided to raise money for the larger DEC appeal.”

Preparing for the marathon has been a good foundation for Ella’s recovery. Training has helped her channel her emotions and deal with the trauma of what happened on that fateful day last year. 

Ella’s fundraising target of £1,000 has been achieved but she is hoping to raise more. To sponsor Ella visit justgiving.com/fundraising/ellawalton