Leigh Park schoolgirl, 9, starts her own hair scrunchie business from home and raises funds for Children in Need

A HARDWORKING nine-year-old has created hundreds of hair scrunchies for her first small business which has raised charity funds.
Belinda Dickins
By Belinda Dickins
Published 17th Nov 2020, 14:20 GMT
Updated 17th Nov 2020, 16:46 GMT
Isabelle Smith, 9 from Havant, has been making and selling scrunchies and raised funds for Children in Need. Pictured: Isabelle with a selection of her scrunchie creationsIsabelle Smith, 9 from Havant, has been making and selling scrunchies and raised funds for Children in Need. Pictured: Isabelle with a selection of her scrunchie creations
Isabelle Smith, 9 from Havant, has been making and selling scrunchies and raised funds for Children in Need. Pictured: Isabelle with a selection of her scrunchie creations

Isabelle Smith, from Leigh Park, is using colourful materials to create a range of scrunchies as orders fly in and keep her busy behind the sewing machine.

After borrowing £20 from her supportive parents, Isabelle bought some fabric and got to work hand sewing items for friends and family.

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She used her first £100 of profit to get a sewing machine and more materials, and created spotty and yellow scrunchies to raise £50 for Children in Need.

Isabelle Smith, 9 from Havant, has been making and selling scrunchies and raised funds for Children in Need. Pictured: Isabelle working hard to create scrunchiesIsabelle Smith, 9 from Havant, has been making and selling scrunchies and raised funds for Children in Need. Pictured: Isabelle working hard to create scrunchies
Isabelle Smith, 9 from Havant, has been making and selling scrunchies and raised funds for Children in Need. Pictured: Isabelle working hard to create scrunchies
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The Trosnant School pupil said: ‘I decided that it would be nice to raise money for Children in Need because they need it more than me.

‘I am lucky I already have lots of nice stuff. I feel good and happy when I donate to charity because I am helping other people.

‘It’s been really fun making scrunchies. I like walking round school and seeing people wear them. It makes me feel really proud and excited.’

Isabelle Smith, 9 from Havant, has been making and selling scrunchies and raised funds for Children in Need. Pictured: Isabelle with a selection of her scrunchie creationsIsabelle Smith, 9 from Havant, has been making and selling scrunchies and raised funds for Children in Need. Pictured: Isabelle with a selection of her scrunchie creations
Isabelle Smith, 9 from Havant, has been making and selling scrunchies and raised funds for Children in Need. Pictured: Isabelle with a selection of her scrunchie creations
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Isabelle has been amazed at the demand for her products, and friends have been inspired to start their own creative projects.

This isn’t the first time the kind hearted schoolgirl has helped charity, having previously done a running challenge for dementia awareness, raising £120.

SEE ALSO: Havant actors create living advent calendar to tell nativity story through videos in lead-up to Christmas

Proud mum Jess King said: ‘She’s a complete peacemaker and for a nine-year-old girl, genuinely understands and appreciates that she has a lot to be thankful for and life isn’t always about money and gifts, and if she works hard enough she can make a huge impact on just one person's life.’

Isabelle Smith, 9 from Havant, has been making and selling scrunchies and raised funds for Children in Need. Pictured: Isabelle, left, with her younger sister Nancy, 5, both wearing the Children in Need scrunchiesIsabelle Smith, 9 from Havant, has been making and selling scrunchies and raised funds for Children in Need. Pictured: Isabelle, left, with her younger sister Nancy, 5, both wearing the Children in Need scrunchies
Isabelle Smith, 9 from Havant, has been making and selling scrunchies and raised funds for Children in Need. Pictured: Isabelle, left, with her younger sister Nancy, 5, both wearing the Children in Need scrunchies

Isabelle’s teacher Lisa Binding added: ‘She is a very hardworking and dedicated student. She’s always willing to help and she is a delight to have in my class.’

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Isabelle’s dream would be to keep her crafting going and open her own shop one day.

She said: ‘I buy fabric every week from my favourite charity shop Rowans Hospice. I will donate some money to them when I can visit again after lockdown.

‘I really want to raise money for dementia and Alzheimer’s awareness and Great Ormond Street next.

‘I want to say thank you to everyone who has bought scrunchies from me and helped me.’

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Visit Belle’s Bits and Bobbles at facebook.com/106128224603578 to find out more.

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