Thursday 18 June 2020

Kind-hearted schoolgirl Elsie Rose has raised over £1,239 for the Wales Air Ambulance by spending her free time making and selling home-made crafts – including the Queen.

Since October 2019, Elsie Rose Crowther-Willingham, 11, from Mochdre in Colwyn Bay, has used her creative side to make handmade cards, Christmas wreaths, gift tags and calendars to raise much-needed funds for the Charity. She has spent lockdown getting creative, making and sending more cards to put a smile on people’s faces.

For her efforts Elsie even received a letter of thank you from Her Majesty the Queen after she sent her a homemade birthday card.

During lockdown, she has sent over 40 pre-made cards to family and friends to let them know she is thinking of them.

Initially, Elsie Rose aimed to raise £100 for Wales Air Ambulance by making only Christmas cards, but the demand for her creations and her artistic streak has seen her expand her arts and crafts to a variety of different cards, including birthday, anniversary, thank you, Mother’s Day, Easter cards and Father’s Day cards.

Before the pandemic, Elsie Rose enjoyed going to the Charity’s Caffi HEMS at Caernarfon Airport, where the North Wales helicopter is based. She said: “I wanted to raise money because I want to help poorly people who need the air ambulance, and I sometimes see the helicopter flying.

“I ask for a small donation of your choice for the cards and I have made over 300, so far. My cards sell very well. I like to make cards after school and during my spare time. It’s fun making them.

“At first I was looking to raise £100, I never thought I’d raise over £1000.”

The Ysgol Bod Alaw pupil’s fundraising efforts also inspired family and friends to join her in taking part in the annual ‘freezing’ Llandudno Boxing Day Sea Dip.

Steffan Anderson-Thomas, Wales Air Ambulance Corporate and Events Lead, said “This has been a fantastic fundraising challenge for Elsie Rose, a very clever idea. To raise over 12 times her target is an excellent achievement and we are extremely grateful for the super support.”

The card-making was originally started to keep her busy during bad weather days and as soon as an order comes in, she ‘gets straight on it’.

Her whole family are proud of Elsie Rose’s dedication to raising funds for the lifesaving charity. Her mother, Victoria Crowther, said: “I’m incredibly proud of her thoughtfulness and I love her very much.”

Due to current restrictions, Elsie Rose has been making Father’s Day cards with her grandmother Val via FaceTime.

All her crafts are available from her Facebook page Elsie Rose Handmade Crafts.

There are several ways that the public can continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance. These include online donations, signing up to the Charity’s Lifesaving Lottery or by coming up with their own innovative ways to fundraise - like Elsie Rose. Further information can be found via this website.

Alternatively, a £5 text-message donation can be made by texting the word HELI to 70711.