Inspirational Halesowen girls stage fundraising tea party (From Halesowen News)

Inspirational Halesowen girls stage fundraising tea party

10:14am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News

TWO kindhearted Halesowen schoogirls staged an impromptu tea party to raise funds for a lifeboat charity with a little help from their neighbour who is a veteran fundraiser.

Sophie and Emily Slater live in Abbott Road, just two doors down from Jean Hadley who has been raising money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) for 35 years.

The Lutley Primary pupils had been pestering Jean all summer asking if they could stage a fundraising party so she finally relented and they staged a tea party at her house for neighbours, friends and family on Saturday (September 8).

With only three days to arrange the event Jean’s husband Keith delivered flers to neighbours and e mailed friends and family.

Cups and saucers were borrowed from Hasbury Church as Sophie, aged ten and Emily, aged seven set about baking 140 cupcakes.

The pair donned their party frocks and took orders for cakes and ran a bingo session on the day.

They were joined by Jean’s granddaughter Alicia Gulliver, aged 15 and her friend Beth Chase who helped out by serving hot drinks and counting up the fundraising total which amounted to £251.

Jean said: “It was a delight - a perfect day. The girls were inspirational - you wane a bit when you have been doing it for 35 years - but I think I have my future committee now!”

Councillor Ken Turner attended the event and was bowled over by what the youngsters had achieved.

He said: “It was very well attended. To see what the young girs had done and how committed they were to helping others is so inspiring.”