Keira receives the Mayor's seal of approval

Mum Stacey Arnold, Keira Arnold, Mayor Andy Burnham and grandmother Julie Smith at MoSI

Keira Arnold, the ten-year-old who has raised over £6,000 for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice through her Keira’s Wishes Fund, has landed her second major award.

She was chosen to be the recipient of the Mayor’s Special Contribution Award at the first Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Champions ceremony and received her trophy from Andy Burnham at a night of celebration held in the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.

This came within days of the youngster from Derker being and national young fundraiser of the year by the Institute of Fundraising.

Keira has channelled her considerable efforts into raising funds for the Royton Hospice after losing her father to cancer when she was only four.

Now her fund helps pay for ‘last wishes’ for patients.

Vicky Stackhouse, Events and Community fundraiser for the Hospice, who accompanied Keira and her family to the ceremony, said: “We are very, very proud of Keira and her fundraising.

"She does this by making many of the items she sells herself and has a determination to succeed that has been justifiably recognised but regionally and nationally.”

Meanwhile, the Hospice is appealing for schools, organisations and businesses who are able to act as selling points for their annual Duck Race.

The £1 tickets are now available in batches of 50 and anyone able to help make sure the Duck Race is a splashing hit on August 11 when the yellow plastic ducks are raced down the River Irk in Chadderton Hall Park (1.30pm).

The Hospice fundraising team are also looking for organisations and businesses to sponsor a £25 giant duck that can be decorated to take part in the corporate race.

Call 0161 624 9984 or email: fundraising@drkh.org.uk to secure your corporate duck.

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