Amazing Grace: The selfless Thornton schoolgirl who spent 2020 caring for others

2020 was a year of despondency for many - but one Thornton schoolgirl turned it into an opportunity to bring joy to local residents and sick children.
By Rebecca Beardmore
Published 1st Jan 2021, 12:30 BST
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Grace Brocklehurst, nine, of Springfield Drive in Thornton, has always been a kind-hearted child, mum Gemma said.

She would offer a helping hand when needed, and looked out for her friends and family.

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But when the coronavirus pandemic hit in March, Grace's caring nature ramped up a gear as she worried more about the people around her than herself.

Charitable child Grace Brocklehurst, of Springfield Drive in Thornton, was over the moon to win a national competition to design an escape room game. All proceeds will go to Grace's chosen charity, the Alder Hey Hospitals charity. Photo: Daniel Martino for JPI Media.Charitable child Grace Brocklehurst, of Springfield Drive in Thornton, was over the moon to win a national competition to design an escape room game. All proceeds will go to Grace's chosen charity, the Alder Hey Hospitals charity. Photo: Daniel Martino for JPI Media.
Charitable child Grace Brocklehurst, of Springfield Drive in Thornton, was over the moon to win a national competition to design an escape room game. All proceeds will go to Grace's chosen charity, the Alder Hey Hospitals charity. Photo: Daniel Martino for JPI Media.

Grace, a Thornton Primary School pupil, spent 2020 giving toys away to neighbouring children from her garden, making garden decorations for residents living in the Teal Close and Thornton House homes for older people, and posting coloured Easter pages to neighbours.

As the year progressed, she created PowerPoint presentations to show her teachers how she had helped others, and organised an after-school club for her class to write Christmas cards and make decorations for elderly neighbours.

After giving away her own toys, global toys giant Mattel donated new toys to Blackpool Vic's children's ward on behalf, and she was sent gifts from Topping Street's toy shop Toys Plus, and Cleveleys confectioners company House of Confection Couture.

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To round off her year of charitable giving, the selfless schoolgirl has now chosen to donate all profits from an "escape room" game she designed for a competition to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.

Grace Brocklehurst has spent 2020 doing good deeds for her community, despite the confusion and uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Daniel Martino for JPI Media.Grace Brocklehurst has spent 2020 doing good deeds for her community, despite the confusion and uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Daniel Martino for JPI Media.
Grace Brocklehurst has spent 2020 doing good deeds for her community, despite the confusion and uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Daniel Martino for JPI Media.

Grace won the nationwide competition, run by Escape Rooms Cheltenham and non-profit organisation Create on the Square, to create an escape room-style game, which has been named "Grace's Great Adventure."

She decided all profits from the game, which retails at £10, will go to Alder Hey, where she was treated as a baby.

Grace's mum Gemma, a teacher at Thornton Primary school, said: "Grace was so excited to hear she'd won the competition, she spent ages designing the game with other children in mind.

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"She wanted it to be fun but something they could learn from, and raise money for Alder Hey at the same time."

"Grace was under Alder Hey for virtually all of 2012 aged one to two, for further investigations for bowel issues and Meckels diverticulum.

"She then stayed under the care of the Vic until early 2014.

"As parents, we can't thank them enough for helping Grace and supporting us at what was such as distressing time.

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"I know they do this over and over for the families attending the hospital.

"I'm sure all parents would say the same about their child, but she honestly makes me burst with pride.

"She's so selfless and loving, and we've been so proud of the mature way she has handled everything that's happened in 2020."

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Related topics:Thornton