Ten-year-old Malvern Primary school pupil Heidi Smith was surprised at school this week with a special visit from Knowsley’s Mayor, Councillor Eddie Connor.
Cllr Connor, along with Knowsley Council Leader Graham Morgan popped in to say a huge thank you to Heidi for her charitable efforts, that most recently have been focussed on bringing Christmas cheer to children in Alder Hey Hospital.
Collecting gifts for children in Alder Hey is far from Heidi’s only charitable efforts after starting to raise money for good causes when she was just 5 years old. In just a few years Heidi has helped to raise more than £1,000 for organisations and charities across the region including vet charity, PDSA and Chester Zoo.
Her Christmas appeal in particular is a cause close to her heart with the original idea for it coming after a visit to her cousin who was a patient in Alder Hey. Heidi became worried that “Santa wouldn’t come” to ill children in hospital and so decided to do something about it. This is the fifth year that she has been collecting toys and gifts and bringing cheer to some really poorly children.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council and also Chair of Governors at Malvern Primary said:
“What an amazing young lady Heidi is. She is clearly a very compassionate and caring person with a real determination to do something positive to help people. What an amazing example she is setting her friends, classmates and the wider community too. The whole of Knowsley is so very proud of you Heidi!”
Head Teacher of Malvern Primary School, Tony James said:
“Heidi really is a remarkable person and her kindness and care for others really is something quite impressive to see in someone so young. She is always thinking of others and coming up with ways she can help.
“I know that her family are quite rightly very proud of her efforts and everyone involved in the school is too. Well done Heidi for setting such a good example and bringing happiness to so many people.”