Local businesses send gifts for Thornton's amazing Grace after selfless community acts

Grace Brocklehurst, nine, lives on Springfield Drive in Thornton and donated most of her toys and books to other children in the neighbourhood, to spread some joy during the Covid-19 pandemic.

After being alerted to Grace's good deeds, local businesses rallied around to offer generous gifts to Grace in recognition of her kindness.

Blackpool toys company Toys Plus, based on Topping Street, gifted toys and vouchers, and Cleveleys confectioners company House of Confection Couture on King's Walk surprised Grace with a sweets bouquet.

Nationwide company The Entertainer also offered to send a box of toys to her, and she will receive free Barbies from international toys giant Mattel.

Mattel will also be donating toys to Blackpool Victoria Hospital's children's ward in Grace's name, to thank her for looking out for her community during the pandemic.

"This is all just absolutely amazing, I'm completely speechless about the whole thing," Grace's mum, Gemma Brocklehurst, said.

"This is just what Grace does, she doesn't think it's anything special, she just loves to put a smile on peoples' faces.

"I can't thank everyone enough for her gifts, I am completely overwhelmed by the response and so utterly proud of her."

At the age of two, Grace regularly attended the Vic and Alder Hey children's hospital in Liverpool, with the condition Meckel's diverticulum, a congenital defect in the small intestine.

Gemma continued: "At first we thought she might have cancer, it was absolutely horrific. But she didn't, and luckily after treatment she was perfectly fine, and she's fine now.

"But this is one of the reasons Grace wants to do so much for other children, because she was poorly as a child as well, so it's important to her that everyone else is okay.

"I heard Grace on the phone to a relative say 'I wanted to make some children happy with my toys and now I can cheer up lots of children at the hospital too thanks to Mattel.'

"The fact that the children's ward in the Vic will be receiving donations from Mattel in her name is just perfect really, I couldn't wish for anything more."

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