Kids inspired to raise cancer cash after grans battle illness

A GROUP of kind-hearted kids from a small street in Cookstown have raised cash for cancer after two of their grandmothers battled the illness.

Last week ten children from the Orritor Street area took time out from their summer holidays to bake buns and sell them on to raise funds for Marie Curie cancer.

Aged from just 4 to 14, the kids spent their pocket money on ingredients to make an array of tray bakes with the supervision of their grannies, two of whom have battled breast cancer.

It is the second time the thoughtful school children have raised money for the cause.

Last year they put on a special concert in one of their own back gardens and invited the street along to watch them perform.

They raised £55 and passed it onto charity.

And this year’s endeavours have paid off even more for the young charity fundraisers who raise £90 in under two hours of knocking on neighbours doors.

Anne Attwood, whose three grandchildren were part of the ten strong group, told the MAIL how the kids were inspired to help the cancer charity after she and another grandmother fought the illness.

“This is an amazing achievement, and we are all so proud of them,” the 65 year-old told the MAIL.

“They did this all off their own back, no-one told them to and that’s what makes it even more great.”

“I myself, had breast cancer two years-ago, and so did another lady whose grandchildren were part of the group, and I think that planted something in their heads last year when they first decided to raise money.”

Anne continued: “They came to us last week and told us that they wanted to use their pocket money to buy ingredients to make buns and sell them for charity. They even made a wee banner to take around the doors, and everyone was so impressed at what they went out of their way to do.”

With the supervision of parents and grandparent the children, each baked an array of buns and cupcakes, including rice crispie buns, fifteens and marshmallow tray bakes.

“As soon as they were baked and cooled down they went out with their wee banner and started knocking on doors. Neighbours were so generous. I just couldn’t believe it when they came back and said they had raised £90 in under two hours.”

The proud grandmother added: “That’s the kind of people that look after the sick; kind and caring.”

The kids handed over their money to the cancer charity last Friday which will go to helping improve the care of those living with cancer.