A Grade 2 class project has raised awareness and more than $400 for a Victoria girl battling cancer.
One month ago, seven-year-old Lola Ramesbottom went home with a small bag of coloured rubber elastic bracelets that she had made at school.
Her mother, Rebecca, had been following the story of four-year-old Hannah Day, who is on her second round of fighting cancer. It had touched a nerve, because Rebecca lost her father to the disease last year.
The sight of Lola’s bracelets inspired an idea.
Rebecca showed her daughter news clips and stories written about what Hannah was going through.
“I explained what a fundraiser was to her,” said Rebecca, who works at Royal Jubilee Hospital. “I asked her how she felt about selling the bracelets to raise money for the Day family.”
She got her answer almost instantly.
“Lola was all over it.”
The pair started a Facebook page with pictures of the bracelets. The first orders came within half an hour — and they haven’t stopped.
So far, bracelets have been shipped to Montreal, Kelowna, Toronto, Utah and even as far as Newfoundland.
Lola, with a little help from friends at school, hand-makes each bracelet.
The Day family has heard about Lola’s efforts and has said that Hannah wants to personally thank Lola one day.
“Not only has it touched the people who have donated, but it has also taught my little Lola about compassion and hard work,” Rebecca said.
For more information, go to hannahday.ca.
