We want to send the warmest Christmas thank you to Danielle and her daughter Elise, who have spent the past few weeks turning our knitted elephants into the most charming, sparkly Christmas Reindeer Elephants for the Great Harwood Christmas Extravaganza.
They have poured so many hours into choosing colours, adding tiny festive touches, and carefully finishing each one by hand. Every elephant glittered with love, imagination and Christmas cheer, and they looked absolutely magical on the stall.
This wonderful project also formed part of Elise’s Duke of Edinburgh Award, and we were so touched that she chose Milly’s Smiles as her charity to support. Elise was diagnosed with liver cancer just one week after Milly, and our families travelled that same frightening journey together. That bond has stayed with us, and seeing Elise now giving her creativity and kindness back to the charity means more than words can say.
Elise was joined on Saturday by another of our fabulous DofE volunteers, Evelyn, who threw herself into the day with enthusiasm and festive spirit. Both girls chatted, sold elephants, welcomed visitors and worked so hard, they were a joy to watch.
Danielle shared something this weekend that captured Christmas kindness perfectly: “Milly Bags aren’t just practical, they are a warm hug, a spark of joy and a little bit of hope when families are stepping into a world they never expected”.
On Ward 84, when Danielle and Elise were there themselves, Milly’s Smiles didn’t exist. To see them now helping us bring comfort to other families at the scariest moment of their lives… it’s incredibly moving, even more so at this time of year.
Saturday was fantastic! With their help, and the generosity of everyone who visited our stall, bought an elephant or stopped to share a smile, we raised an amazing £740.44!
This will help us continue providing Milly Bags to families whose world has collapsed, and for that we are so grateful.
To Danielle, Elise and Evelyn, thank you so much for your time, talent, heart and Christmas sparkle.
A special mention to Richard for cutting out all the reindeers and Santa’s Cookie Mats, to Great Harwood Events and finally to everyone who supported us, thank you for helping us keep Milly’s legacy shining bright this festive season.
#MillysSmiles #ChristmasKindness #FestiveFundraising #ChristmasMagic #MakingADifference #ReindeerElephants #HandmadeWithLove #dofevolunteering
