Hayling Island toddler raises hundreds of pounds to help vulnerable people during lockdown

Harper Gibney, two, has been making bird feeders from cheerios and pipe cleaners which can be hung from trees in people’s gardens. After mum, Hayley Fox, 35, posted the initiative on social media, people started offering money to buy the feeding rings.

Hayley said: ‘I put photographs on Facebook of Harper making the feeders. People thought it was a brilliant idea and were offering up to £10 to buy them.

‘I decided to set up a JustGiving page so people could donate a minimum of 50 pence for the feeders. The money is going to the Hayling Helpers – a support group set up to help vulnerable people during the coronavirus lockdown.’

The venture, which has now raised £625, all started off as a ‘bit of fun’ for Harper.

Hayley added: ‘It started off as a game in the garden when Harper started to make a necklace by threading pieces of pipe cleaner through some cheerios. We ended up making 25 which we hung in the garden for the birds.

‘She absolutely loved making them and kept asking to make some more.’

Many of the feeders have ended up going to nursing homes on the island so that elderly residents can enjoy watching the birds in the garden.

‘With the difficulties of lockdown, we gave people the option of gifting them to local care homes on the island. I have recently done drop-offs at The Wedge and Oak View care homes,’ said Hayley.

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The money raised will be used to support the Hayling Helpers to provide food parcels for vulnerable residents who are having to isolate during lockdown.

Group founder, Wendy Ball, 53, said: I’m absolutely astounded at how successful this has been and I’m really proud of Harper – she is our youngest ever fundraiser. The money will help us to ensure we have food to support vulnerable residents as well as those who may be struggling financially after losing jobs.’

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