Cups of lemonade served up by Ella, nine, and Samuel, six, of Fulwood, Preston, have helped to raise money for a charity close to the youngster’s hearts – Derian House.
The hospice, based in Chorley, cares for the sibling’s younger cousin Joey and his family, and the pair hoped that raising money with a lemonade stand would help other families like theirs.
The siblings have always wanted to open up their own lemonade stand – and this year they finally squeezed the day – building the stand with help from their mum and making their own posters.
Ella and Samuel stocked up on lemonade and baked lots of chocolate brownies and lemon muffins.
The youngsters set their price at £1.50 for a lemonade and a cake, and their efforts didn’t fall flat.
Ella and Samuel raised £50 for Derian House Children’s Hospice, which they proudly dropped off at the hospice themselves.
When asked about her favourite part of the day, Ella said: “Selling lemonade and cakes, and seeing everybody having fun.”
Ella also wrote the hospice a special letter, some of which read: “I hope you like the money and keep helping families like my cousin Joey. We are very grateful for all your support to my cousin.”
The money raised by the brother and sister could help to pay for a family to enjoy a summer day care session together in Derian House’s Gardens.
“The kids have always wanted to have their own lemonade stand,” said mum Fiona Grayston.
“The kids planned and organised it themselves. They wrote a list of what they needed to buy. They made cakes, posters and decided on prices. They were both so excited after they had set it up.
“Ella stood at the stand while Samuel asked passers-by if they would like a lemonade and cake. And then the magic happened. They got their first customer and their smiles were heart-warming. Then more and more customers came. There was a real buzz around their little stand. They might not have got it right each time – they have spilled some lemonade several times – but it didn’t bother them and they quickly sorted it out and moved on.
“I watched them busy at work, living their best life. Their friends came along to help out too, one taking it upon himself to chalk arrows around the neighbourhood showing people where to go for lemonade and cake.
“They spent hours then talking to people passing by, making up songs and selling cakes – until their last cake was sold. Ella and Samuel are already plotting their next fundraiser and have set a target – they want to double their fundraising. I just want to thank the local Fulwood community for coming out and making two kids have their best day.”
Ann-Marie Fishwick, Community Fundraiser at Derian House, said: “Ella and Samuel should be so proud of themselves for setting up their very own lemonade stand to raise money for children like their younger cousin Joey.
“Care is free to families at Derian House, but it will cost £6million to run the hospice this year. We rely on our kind-hearted supporters – just like Ella and Samuel – to raise 70p in every £1 as we only receive a small amount of funding from the government.”
Derian House, based in Chorley, Lancashire, cares for more than 400 seriously ill babies, children, young people and their families from across the North West helping them to make the most of every moment.
