A young girl's generosity is helping families facing food insecurities during Christmas.
Seven-year-old Summer Best is campaigning to ensure 'no child goes hungry' by raising £250 and collecting nearly 300 donations this month. The Year Three schoolgirl at St Anthony’s Primary in Wythenshawe is fundraising her second 'Summer's Christmas Mission' scheme which is delivering gratefully received food and other essential items to local charities.
Her dedication has been applauded by the community as Summer collected money, gift vouchers, eight boxes, seven large trays and 100 plus bags of shopping, including 180 selection boxes and five hampers completely full.
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Summer's determination has surpassed her fundraising targets, as she desperately wished to help less fortunate children enjoy Christmas as much as she does.
With the help of her mum, Rachel Best, 37, she set to work collecting canned and packaged food, cereal, baby care essentials, toiletries, chocolate gifts and many more.
Rachel told the Manchester Evening News: "Summer became very upset when she learnt some children go without food and begged to do this collection to help. But her supplies for local food banks were so successful they extended from children to everyone in the local community experiencing food poverty.
"It makes me incredibly emotional because she's so young and entirely unaware of the positive impact on families from her fundraising. When a child goes above and beyond to make sure another child isn't left behind it's very special."
The 'huge Manchester City F.C. fan' received generous donations from local companies Sportscool Cheshire, Morrisons Community Champions Cheadle Heath, Alex Timpson Trust, Lornas Locks, Match Me Car Finance, Timperley Dentist and more.
Asda Wythenshawe also invited Summer to help process a donation to Bideford Centre on her behalf.
Rachel said: "We can't thank the community enough for rallying donations together for Summer, especially given this winter is one of the most difficult times for everybody."
Gemma Owen, Teaching Assistant at St Anthony’s Primary, said: "She has achieved so much in such a short time and her efforts have been able to help some of the most vulnerable in our community.
"One family in particular who I have worked closely with have recently gone through some major hardships, Summer had asked us if she could donate some hampers to families of the school to spread Christmas cheer. We did all this anonymously but the impact of this kindness reduced me to tears as I knew the true impact this had created.
"At St Anthony’s we say 'let your words teach and your actions speak', I think Summer's actions speak for themselves."
Summer has donated to The Bideford Centre, The Hope Project, St Anthony's Primary, Wythenshawe Foodbank and Family Centre, Paul's Catholic High School and Manchester Dog's Home.
Financial Controller at The Hope Project Foodbank, Mark McLaughlin, said: "Summer is an inspiration to us all - so selfless and caring for one so young.
The donations from her Christmas Mission are going to help many families, elderly people and others who are struggling with food poverty at a time of year when they should be so much happier. We are so grateful to Summer for helping us to help them."
Summer also delivered a hamper to Wythenshawe Hospital Neonatal Unit - a charity close to the family's hearts.
Rachel said: "Summer was born at 27 weeks, without the staff from the unit my daughter wouldn't be spreading joy to so many people - and asking about next year!"
A spokesperson at Bideford Community Centre said: "Summer has campaigned for our food hub for two Christmases now. She doesn't just get a bag of food and do her bit, she absolutely puts her heart and soul into this project she holds it close to her heart. Summer is a future community leader and a Bideford champion."
The community have voted Summer for the Manchester City Council Awards, Rachel added: "It's lovely to think people appreciate her support enough even if she isn't shortlisted, because she doesn't fully understand how desperate people are for help.
"I genuinely have been amazed at her determination to help those who are most vulnerable and in need."
