20 hours Ago
A Horwich schoolboy has shared his passion for space – and helped over 100 children view a partial solar eclipse. Zakariya Shivji, 8, was thrilled to learn about the partial solar eclipse on Saturday (March 29). He found a way to help others watch it safely - selling them solar glasses while raising funds his school, St Catherine’s CofE Primary School.
A partial solar eclipse is when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth . The three are not completely aligned, so only part of the Sun is obscured. It is a sight to behold – but looking at it with the naked eye is unsafe without certified solar telescopes or eclipse glasses.
Mum Rebecca, 45, said: “Zakariya has been interested in space since he was about 4. “Every single night he [looks at the stars through his] telescope and is absolutely fascinated by it.“He’s always followed news stories about space, loves Elon Musk and is interested in Teslas and SpaceX.
“I saw that the astronomy group Go Stargazing was selling solar glasses for the partial solar eclipse and told Zakariya about it. “St Catherine’s Parent, Teacher, and Friends Association (PTFA) had set an optional fundraising challenge for children – with the money going toward improving the playground and play equipment. Zakariya Shivji near Winter Hill mast (Image: Public) “[Selling the solar glasses to children at the school] seemed like a good way to raise funds and Zakariya loves running these types of shops.
“He jumped at the chance. We got permission to set up outside the school and sell the children solar glasses at 50 pence. Zakariya Shivji's photograph of the partial solar eclipse (Image: Public) “Not many parents or children seemed to know there would be a partial solar eclipse.
We were really spreading some awareness about it. "It was nice to give them an opportunity to see it otherwise they may have missed it altogether. “We sold 150 pairs of solar glasses [in the two days ahead of the eclipse], which is amazing.
And we ended up raising £152 in total for the PTFA.” Rebecca and Zakariya also decided to hike eight miles from Horwich to Winter Hill Mast and back – sponsored by friends and family. Zakariya Shivji selling solar glasses (Image: Public) Rebecca said: “Zakariya was really excited and up for the challenge of going up Winter Hill Mast.
We started the hike at 9.45am and only got back to Horwich near 1pm. “He was completely enthusiastic throughout.
I was tired but he just kept on going. “At the top, I needed a rest whereas he was running around and still full of energy. He loved every minute.
“We had some of the solar glasses left and managed to give 10 or so pairs away to people there walking their dogs. Rebecca and Zakariya Shivji (Image: Public) “He was glad to share the happiness of the solar eclipse with others. He’s such a kind boy.
They were completely captivated. “We’d stop at intervals and put the glasses on and get a good look at the sun. “I worried we wouldn’t be able to the solar eclipse but we got really good sighting and the clouds weren’t that thick.
Zakariya was so excited and would say, ‘I can see it! I can see it!’ "He worked out that you can take a picture of the eclipse by using the solar glasses on the phone camera lens." Zakariya said: “I enjoyed the hike up to the mast and seeing the partial solar eclipse was amazing”. And he managed to spread enthusiasm for it to his schoolmates.
(Image: Geof Leigh) Partial solar eclipse in March Rebecca said: “Loads of parents sent pictures of their children wearing the solar glasses to look at the eclipse. “One boy said he wanted to go to Spain to see the next one.” To donate to Zakariya’s challenge, go to https://www.
goodhub.com/go/stcatherineschallenge2025.
