30 Nov 2016 Community

Maddy & Arthur Brew Up for Kirkwood Hospice in Touching Tribute to Auntie Ann

In an incredible effort to support Kirkwood Hospice, earlier in November Kirklees youngsters, Maddy, 13, and her brother Arthur, 8, hosted a tea party in loving memory of their Auntie - with funds reaching an impressive total of £625.

Back in the summer, Kirkwood Community Fundraiser Nicola Barber received an email from thirteen-year-old Maddy Carr, enquiring about hosting a tea party in aid of Kirkwood Hospice. Maddy and her younger brother Arthur wanted to raise money in memory of their much-loved Auntie Ann, who sadly died at the Hospice in June this year.

Arthur, 8, and Maddy, 13, at Kirkwood Hospice being presented with their cheque for £625.

 

When visiting their auntie at Kirkwood, Maddy and Arthur were blown away by the exceptional facilities and services provided.

“We never really realised what it was actually like at the Hospice.” said thirteen-year old Maddy.

“When we came, our experience was truly lovely. After all the amazing things the staff have done, not only for my auntie, but for my whole family too, me and Arthur just wanted to do something to help."

“After all the amazing things the staff have done, not only for my auntie, but for my whole family too, me and Arthur just wanted to do something to help.”  Maddy Carr

With support from their parents, Maddy and Arthur invited everyone they knew, from friends, family and neighbours to attend their Tea Party, hosted at their home in Shelley. Expecting only a few guests, the family were overwhelmed with the turn-out.

“A lot more people actually came than we expected.” said Maddy. “The Tea Party was over three hours long and was packed all the way through. You couldn’t get onto our road for cars and people were coming in saying they couldn’t find anywhere to park!” The busy home in Shelley.

 

Proud dad, Paul, was run off his feet trying to keep up with drinks orders: “We worked out that we filled up the coffee pot eight or nine times. With twelve cups a pot there must have been over one hundred coffees and I don’t even know about teas.”

The Shelley children decorated their house in pinks and whites to match the theme on their invites, and offered guests a selection of drinks and cakes - including Arthur’s chocolate crispy cake speciality! There was also a raffle, a guess the sweets in the jar game and a lucky dip.The delicious array of home-made sweet treats on offer.

 

Having aimed to raise £100 for Kirkwood Hospice, The Carr Family were overwhelmed at the generosity of their friends and family who helped to raise a total of £625.

“We did things with prices on, but everyone came and put £10 and £20 notes in our collection pot. Some even put in £30.” said Maddy. “For that they just got a few cakes and a drink. I remember looking at the money about halfway through and thinking, gosh!”

"I remember looking at the money about halfway through and thinking, gosh!” Maddy Carr

In a further act of generosity, the kids even contributed towards the funds themselves.

Mum, Helen, said: “We kept spotting Arthur putting his own money in to have a go in the lucky dip. He was putting 20p’s in because that’s how much we’d said it was a go. That was Arthur’s pocket money that he’d put in himself.”

A proud Arthur standing by his Lucky Dip.

 

Community Fundraiser, Nicola Barber, who helped the family to organise the event, said: “This was a very personal fundraising event for the family and we are very proud of the hard work they put in and the amount they’ve raised for Kirkwood Hospice.

“Community fundraising initiatives, such as Maddy and Arthur’s, are integral in keeping the Hospice running, and providing the outstanding care and support that it does.”

Maddy & Arthur with Community Fundraiser, Nicola Barber.

 

In a moving reminiscence, Maddy has the final word. “It was very emotional”, she says. “At the start, we were all crying. When people were looking round, it reminded us all of the whole reason we were doing it.”