Despite doing more to help victims of poverty in one summer than most children - and adults - do in a lifetime, the Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year set the bar still higher by finishing her 700 kilometre fundraising trek for Open Arms Mission ahead of schedule.

Leaving for London on July 18, Ashleigh and her father Shawn planned to ride 50 km a day, penciling in a two-week schedule.

But the duo actually reached their destination by July 29. Still 20 kms short, Ashleigh and Shawn returned home to rest before riding to Port Colborne on Aug. 1 to finish the trip, taking some neighbourhood children up the canal trails with them.

The pair ended Ashleigh's Open Arms Ride to End Child Poverty at the Fifth Street Mission with a ticker-tape finish and plenty of applause from a large crowd.

"It was kind of harder than I thought," said the Grade 5 student and Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year, looking more fit and dark than when she left.

"You can see where my gloves stopped," she added, pointing to her tan line.

For their efforts, Ashleigh and Shawn, along with mother Terra, who chaperoned the two in the family vehicle along Hwy. 3, have so far raised about $5,100, still shy of Ashleigh's $7,000 goal. But with additional fundraisers planned in August, including a car wash on Aug. 16 and a week-long garage sale beginning Aug. 18, the family is still confident they'll reach the mark.

"It was beautiful," said Ashleigh, visibly tired, of the ride. "I feel proud."

Together, Shawn and his daughter shared many memories. Some of them funny, such as a few "wipe outs" by Ashleigh, said Shawn, and some heartfelt, such as the pair's decision to have Ashleigh publish a story.

"We decided she's going to write a children's book about helping others and if it's published, donate some of the profits to charity," said Shawn.

Ashleigh herself will never forget her trip to Point Pelee Park.

"I made it to the furthest southern tip of Canada," she said.

"I'm very proud of her," said Shawn.

Open Arms Mission executive director Jerry Vanderklok said the money will be used to help feed needy children.

"That's Ashleigh's passion, that kids don't go hungry," said Vanderklok.

"She's an amazing kid."