Iona’s brilliant bookmarks and bracelets

Iona, 11 from Newcastle, put her creative skills to great use recently, with a fundraiser for St Oswald’s Hospice in memory of two very special ladies.

Iona’s Grandma Eileen Cranston had used the hospice’s day services for many years before she died in October 2022. Sadly, the family suffered another bereavement earlier this year, when Iona’s Nana, Nancy Ellwood, died on our Inpatient Unit. Iona enjoys pressing flowers and making jewellery, so she decided to use her talents to create hundreds of bracelets and bookmarks, which she sold to classmates and teachers at Gosforth Central Middle School.

iona bracelets
iona stall 2
iona running

Iona said:

“My Auntie Jules had bought me a bracelet making set and I was inspired to make lots to sell for the hospice. I ended up making over 100! I also used some of the flowers from my Nana’s funeral tributes to make the bookmarks, by pressing them and laminating them. I gave some of these to family as gifts but the others also went on my stall at school.”

Iona is no stranger to fundraising, having taken part in sponsored runs in her street during the Covid pandemic, Along with big brother Ali and little brother Mac, the sibling trio took on 26 miles (Ali) 26km (Iona ) and 26 laps (Mac) over a week, to raise a massive £1000 for the hospice.

Iona popped into the hospice on her school lunchbreak to drop off the fantastic £256 raised through her bracelet and bookmark sale. Our team were delighted to meet her and present her with a giant cheque and obligatory photo shoot!

Iona added: “My teachers were very supportive and let me set a stall up at school during lunchtime. I then went round school with some friends with the bookmarks and bracelet on trays, asking the other students if they would like to buy them. I had a really good response as there was hardly any left at the end!”

Iona and Tirbute True

A Tribute to Iona's Grandma Eileen and Nana Nancy

Both Iona’s Grandma and Nana have leaves bearing their names on our Tribute Tree in the garden at St Oswald’s Hospice, alongside her Grandad Tony, who died in 2001. The money that Iona has raised will be split between their Tribute Funds and will help our teams to continue to support other families, just like Iona’s.

Thank you so much to Iona for thinking of the hospice at a difficult time, and to her family who continue to support us through their loved ones’ Tribute Funds.

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