A SHOEBURY dad insists he is “the proudest father in the world” after seeing his daughters raise valuable funds for charities in the midst of the pandemic.

Temple Sutton Primary School pupil Isabelle Clark, 10, and 11-year-old sister Emily Gahagan, who attends Bournemouth Park Academy, raised more than £2,000 after taking part in a sleepout.

The youngsters, who also tackled a sponsored cycle last summer, were seen outside the Tesco store on Southchurch Road, Southend, for 27 hours.

Their dad, Lee Clark, has also taken part in fundraisers in the past but he insists Isabelle and Emily are heroes in these unprecedented times due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Lee, of West Road, Shoebury, said: “My girls are my inspiration and I am in awe of them.

“They don’t realise what they’re doing is amazing because it seems to come naturally to them.

“I want to scream and shout about the fantastic work they are doing but they take everything in their stride.

“What they do is unbelievable and they were so happy to be helping others on the sleepout.”

The funds raised through the sleepout were donated to Charlie Boys Angels, the Southend Foodbank, CSF and The Project.

Lee admits his daughters were inspired when they headed to the Southend Foodbank.

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He added: “When we presented the money donated to the Southend Foodbank, they gave the girls a guided tour.

“They came away from there saying they want to work there when they are older.

“It just shows how much they love helping others in the community.”

Isabelle and Emily’s next fundraiser will see them involved in a sponsored silence in eight days.

Lee, 39, admitted: “They are raising money again next Saturday and my wife, Kelly, and I are making a scrapbook with all their fundraising exploits.”

To donate to Isabelle and Emily's sponsored silence, click here.

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