Leeds mum nominates eight-year-old daughter for Big Thank You Award for selling face masks to raise money for granddad's cancer diagnosis

The mum of an eight-year-old Leeds girl has nominated her for the Yorkshire Evening Post's Big Thank You Awards after she sold face masks to raise money for her granddad's cancer diagnosis.
Kerry Horner nominated her daughter Mollie for the Yorkshire Evening Post Big Thank You Awards (photo: Kerry Horner)Kerry Horner nominated her daughter Mollie for the Yorkshire Evening Post Big Thank You Awards (photo: Kerry Horner)
Kerry Horner nominated her daughter Mollie for the Yorkshire Evening Post Big Thank You Awards (photo: Kerry Horner)

Mollie Horner, aged 8, raised over £500 for Macmillan and Cancer Research UK by making face coverings during lockdown after her desire to ‘pay for granddad’s medicine to make him better’ wasn’t possible.

Her grandfather received his third cancer diagnosis in six years at the beginning of the pandemic and Mollie wanted to do something to help.

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Mollie’s mum Kerry has now nominated her daughter for the Yorkshire Evening Post's Big Thank You Awards, which is aiming to shine a light on the heroes who have made a difference to Leeds in what has been an otherwise very tough year for our city.

Eight-year-old Mollie makes face coverings to raise money for cancer charities after granddad's diagnosis (photo: Kerry Horner)Eight-year-old Mollie makes face coverings to raise money for cancer charities after granddad's diagnosis (photo: Kerry Horner)
Eight-year-old Mollie makes face coverings to raise money for cancer charities after granddad's diagnosis (photo: Kerry Horner)

Kerry, of Micklefield in Leeds, said: “When my dad had his previous diagnosis, Mollie didn’t really understand what was going on but now she is fully aware and is at the age where she wanted to help.

“We and everybody else needed to keep safe in the pandemic and after realising she couldn’t help her granddad directly, she wanted to help everybody else keep safe.”

She added: “She has already been named as a Macmillan inspirational child and was one of the winners of the The Light Leeds Local Lockdown Heroes so I would love for her to win a Big Thank You Award as well to recognise her achievements.”

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Mollie struggled on Facetime as she watched her granddad go from being fine at home, to being in hospital and intensive care in such a short space of time.

After having open lung surgery and some of the main artery to his heart removed, he is now fortunately on the road to recovery for the third time.

Asking for a minimum donation of £1 for Macmillian and Cancer Research UK charities, Mollie used her new sewing machine and fabrics to post her face coverings as far as Sussex across the country.

Mollie’s masks are made of different fabrics, including ones with a Disney theme, and she posts them in a gift bag with a personalised hand-written thank you note.

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She began fundraising by posting on a Leeds-based Facebook page but her idea was soon passed to schools for fundraising and she even had an order placed from Asda.

Kerry added: “My dad is so proud of her, she’s just a normal eight-year-old girl and now she’s got the fundraising bug and she just wants to keep going.

“What she’s done is so amazing it makes me want to cry.”

The Yorkshire Evening Post launched The Big Thank You Awards sponsored by Sovereign Health Care, to salute those who have gone the extra mile during the pandemic.

The Big Thank You Awards aim to recognise the heroic efforts of key workers, neighbours, families and friends who have been working, often behind the scenes, to keep us safe and healthy.

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Anyone is eligible to win an award - from NHS staff to local shopkeepers or volunteers.

We are asking people to nominate their heroes for a Big Thank You Award. Nominations are open until November 12 and are submitted online at: www.bigthankyouawards.co.uk.

Russ Piper, CEO of Sovereign Health Care, said: “Sovereign Health Care was established almost 150 years ago to help the people of Yorkshire access healthcare services and we have remained true to this founding principle. Now, more than ever before, the health and wellbeing of the people in our communities is at the forefront.

“Over the last eight months, we have seen healthcare and key workers become quiet heroes against the incredibly challenging backdrop of the pandemic. These awards are an important opportunity to thank these amazing people and to tell their stories at a time when we all need hope and inspiration. We are delighted to be involved.”

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Data Facilities, national NICEIC approved contractor and specialist in all electrical compliance disciplines, has also kindly sponsored the awards.

Readers will be given the chance to pick 10 winners from a shortlist of 30. Winners will be presented with their awards during a virtual ceremony on Friday, December 11 at 7pm.

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