Boy from Plymouth holds t-shirt comp for CHSW
A boy from Plymouth held a ‘design a t-shirt’ competition in aid of the children’s hospice that supports his family.
Tommy Hele, aged 9, wanted to fundraise for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), the charity that was there for his family when his younger brother Jack died.
Tommy and his school, Pennycross Primary, organised a competition to design a t-shirt for the charity’s bear mascot.
Representatives from the charity, and the bear, attended an assembly at the school to launch the competition, and the children were given a month to submit their designs.
The whole school were invited to pay a minimum donation of £1 to take part; the competition had 50 entrants.
The school announced Fleur from the Foundation Class as the winner at a Summer Fayre held at the school, and over £150 was raised.
Bex, Tommy’s Mum, had a stall at the fayre: "The idea started as he felt like he needed to do something for Little Harbour, as they help us so much. As part of his bereavement support we felt this was an exercise that could help in many ways."
This was all Tommy's idea, we just helped him to make it a reality. We are so proud of him.
"Tommy's little brother Sam was more than happy to join in and spend time with Buddy the bear too! A huge thank you to CHSW fundraising team, Pennycross Primary school and Plymouth friends group, plus the donations of prizes and printing that made it all come together."
The family were supported by CHSW’s Little Harbour children’s hospice in Porthpean, St Austell.
The hospice is situated on the coast and looks out over St Austell Bay. It provides care and support for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families, across Devon and Cornwall. It costs around £3 million a year to run the hospice.
Annabel Roberts, Area Fundraiser for Plymouth, said: “Tommy and his school have done such an amazing job with their fundraising. The t-shirt looks great and our mascot will wear it with pride!
“Our Plymouth Friends group have been on hand to help with the fayre, and it is so lovely to see a school community come together in support of such an important charity. Thank you Tommy and Pennycross Primary!”