Skye fundraises for Little Papa’s care home

Ten-year-old Skye Stephens, from Redruth, spent lockdown making gift boxes for residents and staff at Blackwood House, her great grandfather’s care home. She called them ‘Skye’s Happy Packages’.

When her ‘Little Papa’ sadly passed away in July, she decided she would like to say thank you to those who looked after him by doing a sponsored walk. Skye wanted to help the charity by walking 60km over 6 days every Tuesday during the summer holidays.

“I chose Cornwall Care because the people who looked after my Little Papa work amazingly hard and not many people know about all the things they do to make older people’s lives happy,” she said. “They are so kind and I want more people to know that.

“Another reason I chose them is that Blackwood House would usually do loads of events in the summer to raise funds but can’t this year because of the pandemic. I want to help them raise money so they can keep doing their amazing and important work.”

Skye’s aunt, Kayleigh Bray, says she is very proud of her niece.

“She has come up with the whole project herself and is really dedicated to achieving it,” she said. “Her initial target of £200 was raised very quickly and she is now very close to £400. Skye was surprised when so many people donated but is coming to realise that they are impressed by what she is doing and want her to succeed. She is also learning a lot about what carers do and why their jobs are so important.”

Skye is following in the footsteps of Mia Richardson, also 10, who raised thousands of pounds during lockdown to buy magic tables for the residents of Blackwood House by running the equivalent distance of Land’s End to John O’Groats on her family’s cross-trainer.

“What Skye is doing is wonderful and another example of the way some of our local young people have responded to the upheaval caused by the virus by doing whatever they can to help older people, especially those who have had to remain separated from their families,” said Cornwall Care CEO Anne Thomas.

“I’d like to thank Skye very much for all the effort she is putting into her weekly walks. As a charity, we are extremely grateful for all donations and the money she is raising will be a great contribution to keeping our lovely residents smiling and happy. “I’m sure Skye’s Little Papa would be very proud indeed.”

 

To help with Skye's fundraising cause, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/skyeshappytrails