A nine-year-old has raised hundreds of pounds for a local hospice only days after posting her appeal.

Ellesse-Leigh wanted to create a memory tree in honour of those who have lost people close to them.

Mum Gemma Jolley bought her wooden discs to write on as a crafty hobby, but Ellesse decided to do more than that.

She is writing messages of love and remembrance on each one for a £1 donation in aid of the East Lancashire Hospice.

Speaking on Friday, Gemma said: “I only bought her the set at the weekend.

“Ellesse decided she wanted to use them to as an opportunity to commemorate loved ones, so we put a post up on Facebook, and it has just exploded. We have had at least 40 orders already and are expecting more.”

By Wednesday last week she had already raised more than £200. 

The original plan was for her to sell them at just £1 each but people are so impressed, they are gifting more.

Each disc has a personal message and a heart drawn on in either red or blue.

Ellesse has also decided to add footprints for requests they have received in memory of little ones. Presently, the discs are being placed on a tree near Gemma and Ellesse’s home.

The hospice means a lot to Ellesse and her mum as Ellessa’s grandmother is in the hospice at present.

Sharon Jolley was diagnosed with breast cancer ten years ago and although she went into remission it has since returned. For the past three years she has been using the hospice services. 

Gemma said: “She always comes away happier and more cheerful after spending time in the hospice.

"This Christmas was tough, but thanks to the hospice she is still fighting the disease and is still making us laugh.”

Sharon, the former landlady of the Angel Inn in Bolton Road, was also the bingo caller at The Havelock Inn and spent some time working as a taxi driver. 

Now 56, she is proud of her granddaughter’s decision to try to raise money for the East Lancashire Hospice.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Ellesse attends Longshaw Juniors where her nickname is ‘Sneakers’, and lives just a few minutes away from East Lancashire Hospice, which she walks past every day.

Gemma added: “It was Ellesse’s decision to do this for the hospice.

"The hospice is so special. My mum always bounces back after she has spent time here.”

At present mum Gemma is spending £18 on each pack of discs and has already had to order another pack from Amazon.

“This was money we were going to donate to the hospice. It is fantastic to see it making even more for such an important place. I know it costs a lot each year – about £4 million, that’s about £11,000 a day to look after my mum, so it’s lovely that Ellesse is doing this for the hospice.”

To donate to Ellesse’s fund or to order your own disc, you can visit her Facebook page by clicking here.

To donate directly to East Lancashire Hospice in Ellesse or her mum’s name, call 01254 965877.