Banff girl’s fundraiser supports community hub and school
An inspiring seven-year-old girl organised a fundraising event to help a community hub and the school she attends.
Emmy McBain was motivated to hold the fun day after learning about different life skills while in her P3 class at Banff Primary.
Last year also saw her hold a lemonade stand and she was keen to expand on this for summer 2024 to raise money for Deveronvale Community Hub and Banff Primary School.
As well as selling delicious lemonade, the event at Princess Royal Park included a bouncy castle, beat the goalie, raffles, mascot Hubsie, teas and coffees and her favourite idea to throw wet sponges at her brother. A total of £435 was collected.
Her mum Jillian said: “After organising the lemonade stand last year Emmy was keen to do it again. At Banff Primary School the kids have all been looking at different life skills and one was about fundraising.
“Emmy then came up with the idea to hold her lemonade stand at the community hub and do it to raise money for the hub and Banff Primary. She even had a meeting with the head teacher Laura MacKay to discuss.
“It was all her ideas that she came up with including the bouncy castle, Hubsie the mascot, beat the goalie, raffles and her favourite idea to throw wet sponges at her brother Leo. We are grateful to Banff Academy for lending us that stand.
“She also made bracelets to sell and even when we were away on holiday she kept making them.
“One of our volunteers, Mo McLeod, made toffee for her to sell.
“The letters to drum up support were written by herself and she picked which places to send them to. I can’t thank them enough for supporting Emmy. She also went out with all the posters.
“She managed to rope in helpers from Tesco, all the hub volunteers including her brother and our Duke of Edinburgh volunteer Blair Whyte. The kids enjoyed playing football and soaking them. Mrs MacKay also came along and helped on the day.
“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along and supported the fundraiser.
“She already has plans for next year and what can be added to make it bigger and better. She is now focusing on the Kit The Kids Out for School event and will be helping out at it.”
Deveronvale Community Hub is based at the home of the Banff football team at Princess Royal Park.
It works closely with charities and organisations to help local people in need.
It was started in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic and accepted donations of children’s clothes, books, toys, activity packs, arts and crafts, football kits, boots and trainers and school clothes and shoes to help families struggling to make ends meet. Over the years since the service has expanded.
The hub is not-for-profit and all the donations help people living in the area.
It works alongside several community groups and organisations which offer support in nearby towns and villages. These groups get in contact with the hub, and are provided with whatever items they need.
