Big-hearted Rubyrae’s bracelet skills raises £600 for hospital’s baby charity
A big-hearted pupil at a Northumberland school has been creating colourful bracelets to raise money for the Royal Victoria Infirmary’s Tiny Lives charity.
When her mum had her baby brother in the Newcastle hospital last Christmas, Rubyrae Lisle was inspired to begin designing and creating bracelets to boost funds. When her 11th birthday came round in April, she decided to fundraise to mark it.
“We had been talking about the charity because I knew it was connected to the maternity unit at the RVI. I decided I didn’t need much for my birthday this year, and thought I could help someone else instead,” said Rubyrae, who is in Year 6 at St Aidan’s Catholic Primary School in Ashington.
The bracelets are made from clay beads and strung individually; some are personalised with letters for initials or names and so far Rubyrae has sold more than 200 of them – raising £400 which has risen to £600 with additional donations.
Her mum, Abbie Lisle, has been selling to friends and family and staff at the school have been supporting her efforts as well. Advertised via her Facebook page, Miss Lisle saw her post shared more than 100 times and sales took-off.
“Ruby has made over 200 bracelets, and has spent hours not only making them but posting them through letter boxes and visiting the Post Office to send all over the country,” she said.
“She has posted her home-made bracelets across Northumberland and right down to Luton, Leeds, Shropshire and various other locations. As parents we are so proud of Ruby – anybody who knows her can vouch for how selfless and kind she is. She is a little girl with a big heart, and talks of being a doctor or nurse herself when she grows up, to care for others.”
The school has also been supportive of Rubyrae’s endeavours to help.
“We became aware of what Rubyrae was doing when a staff member saw the Facebook post. I quickly saw there was so much demand, and decided to support her with a donation from staff at the school because it was such a thoughtful thing to do,” said Michael Moran, Headteacher at the school, a member of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust.
The Tiny Lives Trust has raised more than £350,000 and supported more than 750 babies needing neonatal care after arriving prematurely or unwell. It is an independent charity and relies entirely on donations.
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SOURCE:
Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust and Barking Dog Media