In loving memory of Aunt Michele
Not many 11-year-olds would think about giving up their own time after school every day to raise money for presents for other children, but that’s what Kamo Intermediate School pupil Sophie Spijkerbosch has been doing for the past few months.
After spending a lot of time at the side of her special Aunt Michele, who was being treated for lung cancer, then visiting both her father and grandfather in hospital, Sophie began thinking about all the children who were sick in hospital, and decided to do something to help make their stays a little easier.
Her mother, Megan Spijkerbosch, said Sophie was a very focused and organised girl.
“She put a lot of thought into how to fundraise some money, and came up with the bright idea of having a raffle,” she said.
She approached Countdown in Tikipunga and Coin Save in Kamo to ask if they could contribute to the raffle. Then, with some extra goodies from her aunt, she made up four baskets and began knocking on doors every day after school for months to sell tickets.
It was fun, she said, except when it meant going out in the rain.
She finally raised $280, the winner being a woman who was caring for her mother who had cancer, which Mrs Spijkerbosch said added a real connection to what they were doing.
“The whole process has been something positive for the family to focus on during a difficult time,” she said.
Meanwhile, the tickets were sold and Sophie realised she needed to buy gifts that would be appropriate for children to play with in bed.
“She’s a real lover of slime, but she knew that wouldn’t work,” her mum said.
“We needed to make sure we had heaps of gifts and had to make the money stretch. She has done so well, and she’s pretty much done it all herself.”
Sophie was able to buy Rubik’s Cubes, colouring-in books, story books and jewellerymaking kits, colour coding them for younger and older children, gift wrapping them and finally giving them away. She had so many that some patients’ siblings got one as well.
Sophie said she felt “cool” giving out the presents, but her aunt passed away that same morning.
Mrs Spijkerbosch said that made it all the more special, as Michele had been the inspiration, and was proud of her niece.