£800 raised by Ballymena Squirrels for NI Children’s Hospice
Helping others starts with a simple idea – and some Smarties
Before Christmas, the Squirrels at 5th Ballymena Scout Group set out to do something kind. What started with a tube of Smarties quickly turned into an incredible act of teamwork, generosity and care.
Through their annual Smartie Tube Collection, the Squirrels raised an amazing £800 for Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice – a new record for their Christmas fundraising.
To help bring the cause to life, Elaine from NI Children’s Hospice joined the Squirrels for a visit, sharing what the hospice does and how they support children who are poorly and need a bit of extra help. The session gave young people a chance to ask questions, listen, and understand how even small actions can make a big difference.
Elaine returned to collect the cheque, marking a proud moment for everyone involved. The presentation celebrated not just the total raised, but the effort, kindness and community spirit shown by the Squirrels, their families and friends.
A huge thank you goes to Ann Hughes, one of the team members at 5th Ballymena, for organising the fundraising and helping the Squirrels turn generosity into action.
By playing their part, the Squirrels showed that learning to help others can start early!
Story submitted by Ann Hughes and Paul Houston.