How a young person raised funds for medical treatment....
An 11-year-old East Maitland girl has opened her heart to the plight of under-privileged children who need life-saving surgery.
Frances Leary organised her first backyard fete with the help of her grandmother, Pam Tierney, who is the president-elect of the Rotary Club of Maitland Sunrise. They decided to bring a child from overseas to the Hunter Region for life-changing surgery.
Frances is an energetic and enthusiastic young girl - she has raised over $4,600 towards the cost of supporting a child in need.
To assist her cause she also spoke at the Rotary Club of Maitland Sunrise where she addressed members about her plans for ROMAC children who are disfigured and need medical and surgical expertise which is available in Australia.
Frances with her fete 'flyer'. (Photo courtesy of the Maitland Mercury)
'We were having a cold drink one hot day last year when Frances asked me about my work with Rotary and St Vincent de Paul' said Mrs Tierney.
'She wanted to know if children could help in the same way so I told her about a backyard fete I organised when I was 10 to help orphans.
'We have had a lot of assistance from neighbours, family and friends and I think Frances now knows that she can help other people in this way'.
Frances wanted her fete in East Maitland to be a 'fun' event with a jumping castle, face painting, a lucky dip, music and games, a cake stall, a raffle, a gourmet morning tea and many other stalls.
Having the local state Legislative Councillor to open the fete was simply a bonus.
It just goes to show what a little initiative can achieve.
