Squash and biscuits raises £171.05 for the Rainbow Ward

She may only be a nine-year-old … but Charlotte Lockwood shows a maturity and a caring nature well beyond her years.

For the youngster came up with an idea to raise money for a hospital ward and managed to collect a total of £171.05.

She decided to make squash and biscuits for matches at Barrow and Sudbury cricket clubs, both teams that her father Tom plays for.

And the money that she raised from creating the refreshments has gone to the My WiSH Charity, which supports the West Suffolk Hospital, with it being directed towards the Rainbow Ward, where the youngster was treated when she had her tonsils removed.

Tom, who is a physiotherapist at the outpatient’s department at the hospital in Bury St Edmunds, said his daughter just came up with the idea for the children’s ward.

“It was totally independent of her as she said she would like to raise money for a children’s charity and she said what about the Rainbow Ward,” said her father.

“She just wanted to help the ward in some way and she did it all herself. She was even able to have a lovely meeting with the ward sister who said ‘thank you’ for her fundraising efforts.”

Charlotte, who lives in Bury St Edmunds with her family and attends Ickworth Park Primary School, in Horringer, said: “When I was little the Rainbow Ward was really nice to me when I needed their help so I thought if I can donate some money the ward can help other children when they are ill. They can also buy some toys for them and hopefully they will also follow in my footsteps and maybe raise money for the Rainbow Ward.”

Sally Daniels, fundraising manager for My WiSH, said: “It was a pleasure to meet Charlotte and impressive to see how she has raised this money all on her own initiative. Both Jo (Rackham, ward manager) and myself were very proud of what she’s achieved and can’t thank her enough for wanting to make a difference”.