Blackpool youngsters get crafty for charity

Samantha Ward, Amelie Cooper and Lois Brooks set up shop on the beach at Fleetwood to encourage passers-by for donations.

Lois Brooks, aged nine and Amelie Cooper, aged ten who attend St Bernadette’s RC primary school in Bispham, and Samantha Ward, aged nine who attends Roseacre academy primary in South Shore decided at one of their summer sleepovers to paint the seashells they had collected from the beach in bright colours and glitter.

But instead of keeping the money they made by selling the shells for themselves, the kind-hearted three decided to give their profits to the Blackpool children’s hospice Brian House.

Lois’ mum Claire Brooks said: “The girls love making things, they’re all really crafty.

The friends get busy painting for Brian House.

“We have a beach hut in Fleetwood and the girls set up a stall outside it to sell their painted shells. They want to continue to fund raise now, they’ve really enjoyed it.

“We went to neighbours’ houses to sell them too and everyone was more than happy to donate.”

The girls also set up stalls outside their houses in Champagne Avenue and Arundel Avenue, Bispham, and as their success grew they added their old toys to their makeshift shop.

The sales of their items have raised over £150 for Brian House.