FUNDRAISERS inspired by a Chipping Sodbury girl’s battle with cancer have handed over more than £13,000 to a hospital charity.
Sienna Mullins was diagnosed with leukaemia in April last year, at just two years old.
Her situation moved Hollie Dennis & Clare Saphier (pictured above with Sienna and her parents Joe and Jo), the owners of Sienna’s nursery First Steps in Chipping Sodbury, to start raising money for the Grand Appeal, the charity of Bristol Children’s Hospital, where Sienna has been treated.
The Grand Appeal team visited First Steps on February 25 and were presented with a cheque for £13,888.76.
Sienna’s mum, Jo, said: “Our nursery owners wanted to support in any way they could [and] they knew what a lifeline they are to children in hospital.”
An initial target of £1,000 was reached with a few weeks at the start of the fundraising.
Hollie and Clare set challenges and held events including a raffle with prizes including tickets to Alton Towers and a silent auction to help raise funds.
‘Incredible support’
Jo said: “The whole nursery team got on board, with bake sales, bike rides to the children’s hospital and dress-up days at the nursery.
“They have all been an incredible support to us as a family and for the charity as well.”
The nursery’s donations had reached £11,565 by February and, with gift aid, the grand total stood at £13,889.
Jo said: “The Grand Appeal have never had an amount like this raised by a nursery.
“It’s truly incredible and we are so proud and lucky to have the community support First Steps has provided through such a difficult time.”
Sienna returns to nursery
Jo said Sienna, who has just turned three, is doing well, but remains on chemotherapy treatment until June next year.
She said: “Sienna has done so well. There are harder days and still many trips to A&E when she spikes a temperature, but overall she’s been a superstar.
“She has been able to return to nursery this month and has been thrilled to have returned with her friends and key workers.
“We would love to recognise this achievement by the First Steps team and also thank the readers of the paper that supported with donations it helped create a lot of awareness.”
Sienna’s story also inspired other fundraisers, a ‘Vile Mile’ run at Chipping Sodbury Football Club last year raising around £2,300 for Young Lives vs Cancer last September.