A South Shields schoolgirl has inspired a £60 donation to the Great North Children’s Hospital Foundation after knitting a rainbow scarf in support of the NHS.
10-year-old Gabrielle Rutherford loves “all things rainbow” especially her favourite My Little Pony ‘Rainbow Dash’, so when the rainbow became the nation’s symbol of hope and solidarity with the NHS, like many children throughout the UK she was excited to express her support through arts and craft.
After being taught to knit by her Nana Mandy, who had shown her how to make scarves for her dolls before the lockdown began, Gabrielle set her sights on creating a rainbow scarf.
After weeks of knitting, proud mum Selina Rutherford posted a picture her daughter’s finished scarf to Facebook group ‘Rainbow Trail’, which was set up so that families could share rainbow pictures and creations during the pandemic.
Members were very impressed with Gabrielle’s scarf and Nia Jones from Holyhead in Wales was so impressed, she asked if she could make one for her too and in return she would make donation to an NHS Charity of Gabrielle’s choice as well as covering the cost of the wool and postage.
Gabrielle was delighted with Nia’s proposal and chose the Great North Children’s Hospital Foundation as a thank you for the care given to her 7-year-old sister Molly when she was hospitalised in 2018 with a serious skin infection (cellulitis) and spent 5 days in the GNCH.
Mum Selina said:
We are so proud of Gabrielle. She is such a kind, caring and creative little girl and absolutely loves to help others. She spent around six or seven weeks making the scarf for Nia and chose to support the GNCH as they have helped us on many occasions, particularly when Gabrielle’s sister was poorly”.
Speaking about her rainbow scarf Gabrielle said:
“This scarf was my best one yet, especially because it was a rainbow themed and for a really good cause!
“I chose to send the donation to the children’s hospital because it’s hard when you’re little and you want to help people but don’t have much money of your own like adults do. I think it’s lovely that with help from Nia I’ve been able to help other children like my sister Molly. A few years ago, she was really poorly and the GNCH helped to make her better so I thought this would be a nice way to say thank you.”
Dr Mike Mckean, consultant in respiratory paediatrics and clinical director of the Great North Children’s Hospital, said:
“We are so thankful to Gabrielle whose kindness and talent has inspired this wonderful donation to our Foundation and to Nia for her thoughtful offer and generous donation which will help us continue to make a real impact on the day-to-day lives and long-term wellbeing of children and their families who visit our hospitals”.
