British schoolgirl, 13, who died on family holiday to Florida’s Discovery Cove – as the teenager’s fundraising heroics are revealed

This is the first picture of tragic British schoolgirl Anna Beaumont who died on a family holiday to Florida.

Anna Beaumont, 13, was found unresponsive in a pool at the Discovery Cove resort last Tuesday. She was taken to hospital in a ‘critical’ condition but died the next day.

It can be revealed Anna had competed in a children’s Ironman contest in Copenhagen, Denmark, at the age of just seven – as her father Peter Beaumont, now 54, participated in the main event.

And four years ago, caring Anna was inspired to ride the equivalent of the full adult Ironman bicycle course to raise money for the children’s hospital that treated her and her brother Jake.

Anna joined the Copenhagen Ironkids event six years ago, which involves a run of up to one mile, held at the same time as the adult event.

Anna Beaumont, 13, was found unresponsive at a theme park in Orlando

Then, in May 2020 and aged just nine, she set herself the challenge of riding the 112-mile Ironman bike course on a static bike at the family home in the Welsh capital Cardiff over 20 days – and finished four days early.

Announcing her fundraiser, which took place during the first pandemic lockdown, Anna said she was supporting Noah’s Ark, the Cardiff Children’s Hospital.

She said: ‘I was inspired by seeing my Dad complete Ironman Copenhagen and want to support Noah’s Ark at a time when the focus is on Covid-19 but many children still need help for other reasons.’

She told supporters she was going to celebrate her early finish with a ‘huge chocolate cake to celebrate’.

A post in support of her challenge by the organisers of Ironman read: ‘Following competing in Copenhagen Ironkids in 2017 Anna, age of 7 was inspired to take up triathlon.

‘During Covid-19 lockdown she set a goal to ride the full Ironman bike course length on her indoor trainer in 20 days and use her accomplishment to raise money for a charity close to her heart.

Anna was found unresponsive at the Discovery Cove resort in Florida (pictured) last Tuesday, and died the next day in hospital

‘Noah’s Ark is the children’s hospital in Cardiff UK, which both Anna and her brother Jake have needed a number of times over the last 6/7 years.

‘Like many charities at the moment they have lost charity funding as people focus on Covid-19 and Anna wanted to ensure they still received support.

‘Anna finished her challenge in 16 days, with 13.5 hrs in the saddle , and completed the task on the final day with a 30 km road ride. So far she has raised nearly £800 for Noah’s Ark children’s charity.

‘Anna embodies and is inspired by the IRONMAN spirit – “anything is possible” – if you focus and never give up.’

Anna raised £900 after receiving sponsorship from 62 supporters – nine times her original target of £100.

Staff at her school Radyr Comprehensive in Cardiff paid tribute to the teenager, with headteacher Andrew Williams calling Anna ‘a cherished member of our school family’. 

He said: ‘Anna was a cherished member of our school family, and her absence will be profoundly felt by pupils, staff and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her spirit, kindness and presence touched so many lives.’