Hucknall family's daily fundraisers buy hampers for hospital and ambulance workers

A kind-hearted Hucknall family is running a fundraising drive to provide comforting gifts for health workers on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.
Charlie, Olivia and Molly StensonCharlie, Olivia and Molly Stenson
Charlie, Olivia and Molly Stenson

Molly, Olivia and Charlie Stenson, who are aged between 7 and 15, had a clearout of old toys and books shortly after lockdown.

They helped their parents Sarah and Paul to set up a stall at the bottom of their drive at Common Lane and invited passers-by to take what caught their eye and, if they wished, to make a donation to the NHS.

Olivia, 9, said: “We put out things like teddy bears that we didn’t want any more, toys that we had grown out of and old books from under our beds.”

Proceeds of the fundraising have been turned into hampers of snacks such as chocolate, sweets, biscuits and porridge pots as well as hand cream for key workers.

Olivia said: “We’re helping people who can’t go shopping and giving them something to eat while they’re working.”

The hampers have been delivered to the children’s oncology ward at Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham, Hucknall Ambulance Station, Nottingham City Hospital and Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

Mum Sarah, who buys the products for the hampers and arranges for their delivery, said: “I’m very proud of the children. I’d like to say thank you to the friends and neighbours who have donated.”

The family’s initial fundraiser was such a success that they have kept it going most days, apart from when it is windy or rainy. Sarah said: “We've got a long drive so we set a table up and have lots of boxes which we put the books into so people can see what's in them. The children help set the stall up most mornings and take it down in the evening.”

Sarah, who works at NatWest bank in Ilkeston, said: “It has escalated – everyone is bringing toys and books. Neighbours have left tomato plants and things like that for us. None of the original stuff that's out there now is ours, it's all donations.”

So far donations to the family’s fundraiser total £419.

Sarah added: “We’ll keep doing it until we run out of things.”

Molly and Olivia are pupils of Hucknall’s Hillside Primary School and Charlie is educated at Holgate Academy.

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