Thornton schoolgirl on a mission to spread happiness

A schoolgirl from Thornton is spreading joy around her neighbourhood during the Covid-19 lockdown, by giving away her toys, and colouring pictures for her neighbours.
By Rebecca Beardmore
Published 20th Apr 2020, 11:45 BST
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Nine year-old Grace Brocklehurst, who lives on Springfield Drive in Thornton, has adapted to being away from her friends at home during lockdown by performing selfless acts to ensure others in her neighbourhood are "safe and happy."

The Thornton Primary school pupil decided to put out all of her toys for other children to take in a make-shift garden giveaway, and ripped pages from her Easter colouring book to colour and post through neighbours' doors, in an effort to bring happiness to all around her.

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She also set out to make garden decorations for residents living in the Teal Close and Thornton House homes for older people.

Grace Brocklehurst has made it her mission to spread happiness to her community during the Covid-19 lockdown. Photo: Gemma BrocklehurstGrace Brocklehurst has made it her mission to spread happiness to her community during the Covid-19 lockdown. Photo: Gemma Brocklehurst
Grace Brocklehurst has made it her mission to spread happiness to her community during the Covid-19 lockdown. Photo: Gemma Brocklehurst

Mum Gemma Brocklehurst, a teacher at Thornton Primary school and St Wulstan's and St Edmund's Catholic primary school in Fleetwood, said Grace had been "amazing" at adapting to the changes lockdown has brought to her daughter's life.

Gemma said: "She misses her friends of course, and she misses going to the park, but she has been amazing at dealing with this.

"She likes to be busy, and all she cares about is everyone else and how they're doing during this pandemic.

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"After posting on Facebook that Grace was giving her toys and books away on the front lawn, loads of families came out of their way on their daily walks to collect them for their children."

Grace Brocklehurst has made it her mission to spread happiness to her community during the Covid-19 lockdown. Photo: Gemma BrocklehurstGrace Brocklehurst has made it her mission to spread happiness to her community during the Covid-19 lockdown. Photo: Gemma Brocklehurst
Grace Brocklehurst has made it her mission to spread happiness to her community during the Covid-19 lockdown. Photo: Gemma Brocklehurst

Mrs Brocklehurst said that feedback she received from other parents was "incredible," and they were grateful for Grace's kind donations as their children were excited to receive "new toys" while unable to attend school.

"I just can't believe how positive she is about everything," she continued.

"She was really upset when families kept coming past on their daily walks and no toys were left, so she made pompoms to hang on the tree outside for them to take. She absolutely loved meeting other families and having a socially-distanced chat with them.

"Something so simple to a little girl has had a huge knock-on effect during this scary time, and I really hope this community spirit continues when this is over."

Related topics:ThorntonFleetwood