Girl's kind card appeal

Keira-Louise Arnold (8) is collecting postcards in a bid to raise money for Dr. Kershaw's Hospice, via an appeal on Facebook. Pic with her grandmother Julie Smith (left) and mother Stacey Arnold (right).

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A KIND-HEARTED eight-year-old girl is appealing for postcards to be sent to Oldham from around the world as part of a fundraising initiative in memory of her Dad.

Keira-Louise Arnold, from Derker, was inspired to raise money for Dr Kershaw's Hospice after they cared for her father, Stephen Greaves, when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer and died in September, 2012, aged just 28.

With the help of her mum Stacey, Keira-Louise shared the story of her dad on Facebook and urged those who saw the message to send her a postcard at Stoneleigh Academy.

Her post said: "My daddy spent some time at a place near us called Dr Kershaw's.

"My mummy says it's called a hospice and that they take care of people.

"I remember my daddy being there and all the lovely people that worked there making it nice for my daddy and everybody else, including me and all his family when we went to see him.

"My mum, uncle and grandma did a fundraiser a couple of years ago and managed to raise over £2,500 for this hospice. Now I'd like to do something myself."

She added that she didn't want people to send money, just postcards as her grandma, Julie Smith, had said she would give her £100 to donate to the Royton hospice if she received 1,000 postcards by the end of June.

Keira-Louise's grandma, Julie Smith, said: "Keira-Louise had been learning about social media at school and how far posts can spread on Facebook.

"We decided it would be a good challenge for her to see how far her post about her dad can reach and where she receives postcards from.

"Within days the post had been shared over 2,000 times and she was delighted when she received her first few postcards at school.

"So far Keira-Louise received over 100 postcards and they've come from all over the world.

"They've come from Spain, France and even Australia and India, but we still need a lot more.

"Some of them have even had beautiful messages of support for Keira-Louise and Dr Kershaw's and we've enjoyed reading them. We've also been contacted by people who have agreed to match-fund the donation if she is successful."

Anyone who would like to send a postcard to help Keira-Louise in her challenge should send them to Keira-Louise, Stoneleigh Academy, Vulcan Street, Derker, Oldham OL1 4LI.

To find out more visit https://www.facebook.com/Keirascards/.