Elen's birthday donation is boost for hospice patients

(August 2007)

GENEROUS: Elen Roberts (sitting on the bench at The Hospice of St Francis) with her friends Joanna Nakar and Ellie Burrows. Picture taken by Peter Ward.

A generous 11-year-old asked her friends to give her money for her birthday this year so she could donate it all to charity.

Shy Elen Roberts of Tring, invited 60 friends from her Year Six class at Bishop Wood School to her disco last month.
But instead of being loaded up with presents she asked for money so she could donate it to The Hospice of St Francis where her Grand father, John Savage, volunteers.

In total she raised £250 and, with the help of her granddad, she bought a two-seater bench that will be enjoyed by terminally ill patients at the newly-built hospice.
Elen said: "I wanted to give the money to the hospice be¬cause it's local and it will help all of those people who are poorly.
"I am happy they will be able to sit and enjoy the sunshine on it.
"I want to thank all of my friends who were really kind to give so much money."

Elen, accompanied by her mum Helen and younger sister Sera, visited the hospice last week to unveil the bench.
Mrs Roberts said: "I think she is slightly overwhelmed by all of this.
"I don't think she thought it could cause so much fuss.
"I am very proud of her and we are already thinking of other ways to raise money for the hospice."

Luise Marston, a manager at the day hospice said she was delighted with the bench: "What a lovely idea! This bench will give so much pleasure to our patients on sunny days," she said.

During the visit Elen was introduced to the day hospice patients who thanked her very much, she then walked round the rest of the gardens and met members of staff.