Efforts of Hilsea 6-year-old bring joy to children at Queen Alexandra Hospital following huge toy donation

A challenge to complete 300,000 steps saw six-year-old India-Rose Jenkins raise more than £1,200 to buy toys for children in Queen Alexandra Hospital’s Starfish ward.

Despite falling over a few times and suffering minor injuries, India-Rose dedicated herself to the challenge and raised plenty of funds to help hospital patients and staff.

She chose a variety of popular toys to purchase with the money, including Barbie dolls and toy trucks, and also bought chocolates for the hardworking staff.

Three nurses met with India-Rose to collect the donations, and the kind schoolgirl was over the moon to be able to hand over her gifts.

Nan Pauline Jenkins, who came up with the challenge, said: ‘Indi loved handing all the toys and chocolates over that she had personally picked.

‘The nurses were amazing and couldn't believe what she had achieved. They spent time with Indi and had a lovely chat with her. On leaving, I told Indi I was so proud of her.’

The challenge was tough for the six-year-old, who had to complete more than 10,000 steps each day throughout March.

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She threw herself into it and really enjoyed measuring her step count using her dad Jake’s Fitbit, to make sure she was meeting the goal every day.

Friends and family really got behind her campaign, with Pauline and proud mum Chantelle wearing special “Indi’s supporters” t-shirts to match India-Rose’s jumper advertising her challenge.

This fundraiser followed India-Rose’s £250 fundraising drive last year to help paramedics, inspired by family friend Louise Solomon.

This will not be the last time she takes on a charity challenge though, as the family are already thinking up what her next fundraiser for the Cosham hospital could be.

Pauline said: ‘I have told her I will think of something for her to do and we will do something yearly for them.’

India-Rose said: ‘Next I'm going to buy some machinery to make the children better and some stethoscopes for the doctors.’

Visit gofund.me/b0599f39 to make a donation to India-Rose’s fundraising campaign.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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