Amazing Grace raises cash for heart charity

Andy and Fay Butler, with their daughter Grace

The nine-year-old, from Cowplain, hosted a fun day with family and friends at Horndean Technology College last weekend to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.

Her uncle Steve Forde, from Wecock, has a serious heart condition.

The 51-year-old has been unable to work for many years due to his illness and has been looked after by his wife Sonja. Grace, who goes to Clanfield Junior School, said she wanted to do something to help after seeing the support Steve was given by the charity.

She had raised money before on a smaller scale, making bracelets and baking cakes, which she sold to her family and friends.

But this year she wanted to do much more and she was delighted when more than 100 people attended the event on Saturday, with all the activities raising more than £1,420.

She said: ‘I think everyone enjoyed it and it made me happy that everyone was supporting me. I am really happy we raised so much money.’

Plans for her fun day started back in April, when the tiny entrepreneur approached local businesses to provide raffle prizes.

When offers started rolling in, Grace planned activities as such as a lucky dip, tombola, cake sales, name the teddy, guess the sweeties in the jar, plus more.

Grace’s parents Fay and Andy Butler and many family and friends helped Grace along the way but ultimately she was the driving force with the creative ideas and passion to pull it off.

Fay said: ‘Initially Grace made and sold bracelets and cakes to family and friends but this was the next step.

‘We are so proud of Grace and what she has achieved at such a young age, the British Heart Foundation is of course very close to our hearts and we are delighted that they will benefit from the fun day proceeds.’

Steve, who has aortic stenosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, said: ‘I’ve been blown away by what Grace has done for the British Heart Foundation.

‘I know how much it will help people in the future so there will be less suffering for people with heart conditions.

‘What I have is hereditary and there is a possibility my children or grandchildren could be affected so this could help them in the future. I’m really proud to be Grace’s uncle.’

Go to justgiving.com/fundraising/Fay-Butler1