A KIND-HEARTED Coatbridge girl has taken her first fundraising steps by embarking on a sponsored walk around her local park to raise a four-figure sum in aid of charity.
Darcy McKenna, three, completed her fundraiser with parents Ashley Pollock and James McKenna by walking a mile round Drumpellier Country Park, raising more than £1200 for The Halliday Foundation.
Little Darcy, who attends the Pre-school Academy in Whifflet, where her mum works as an early years practitioner, decided that she wanted to raise money to buy “sausage rolls and cookies” for homeless people and those less fortunate.
Ashley said: “Darcy was at my mum’s one day, and said, ‘do you know mum that some people don’t have houses and stay outside in the cold. I want to give them some money’.
“And so I suggested to her that we could do a wee sponsored walk outdoors around Drumpellier Park.”
The caring tot is keen to follow in the footsteps of her parents, who have also conquered their own challenges for charity, with James having climbed Ben Nevis recently.
Ashley explained: “Darcy said that she wanted to climb a mountain because her dad and I were doing hillwalking.
“Her dad was doing Ben Nevis for charity and she was afraid that she was missing out.”
Ashley continued: “When we were going out walking, she said that she was going to try and find the Gruffalo. That’s her favourite book.”
And as well as being on the lookout for monsters, the three-year-old also searched for clues, with her parents and favourite friend, her grandmother’s dog Olly, using the charity’s logo as a map.
“Darcy had a great time. She said she was on an adventure and using her map she would find clues.
“She walked round with me, her dad and my mum’s dog Olly, who is her best friend,” said Ashley.
Having completed her challenge, the tiny Monklands fundraiser raised an incredible £1205, with donations still pouring in from well-wishers.
Proud mum Ashley added: “I am totally amazed by everyone’s donations and support.
“We initially were hoping for £100. The whole family are so proud of her.
“She is all chuffed and said she is going to buy lots of sausage rolls and cookies.”
Darcy and Ashley wanted to do their bit to support the work of the Glasgow charity which was founded by her former school friend, Chris Halliday, over two years ago after his father sadly passed away.
She said: “Chris started volunteering with homeless charities after his dad passed away.
“He started out with organisations in Glasgow, including the Homeless Society. Then one day he went out with a trolley and a few flasks with family members and it grew from there.”
The Foundation works with adults who are vulnerable and disadvantaged across Glasgow.
For more information on The Halliday Foundation visit their website, https://thehallidayfoundation.org.uk/
