Sweet challenge raising cash for children's hospice

Kelsie-Ann Heather set out to raise £50 for the children’s hospice, but soon smashed that target. On Tuesday, with two days to go until the end of the month, she had raised £540.87.

Mum Charmaine Kerr told the County Times: “She came home from school telling myself and her Aunty about how some children in her class are giving things up for Lent and asking why we did not. We explained to her that we are not religious; however I explained how she could give something up to help others who are not as lucky as we are.”

While looking up local charities, they came across Chestnut Tree House.

“She instantly knew she wanted to help other children,” said Charmaine.They set up a Justgiving page, with a £50 target.

That total was soon reached: “She started telling other children in the playground about how when children get very sick they do not get to stay at home and have to stay in a special hospital,” said Charmaine.

“Mums and kids started donating and it became this massive snow ball of excitement, children in the playground even gave her their pocket money.

“For every person who has donated she has made a special picture and thank you card, all off her own back.

“She is telling everyone and anyone that will listen, we wrote an e-mail to our friends and family and before we knew it we hit £300, but she did not stop there. She is a young lady on a mission.”

Kelsie-Ann has been asking her mum for daily updates on the total, and has been serious about applying the ‘no sweets’ rule.

“At her school Easter fair she won a bag of sweets and instantly gave them away without even a look of disappointment,” said Charmaine.

“Not once have I had to reminder her she is not allowed sweets, she has never asked for alternatives when she could not have sweets and has shown me a massive level of maturity in this whole situation.”

On April 21, they will visit the hospice to see how the money will be spent.

To sponsor Kelsie-Ann, visit https://www.justgiving.com/Kelsie-Ann-Heather/

For more information on the hospice, visit http://www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/

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