Fundraising hero Emelie steps up for soldiers

Fundraising hero Emelie Willis has raised more than £1,550 for the Poppy Appeal through her second 'soldier walk'.

 

The three-year-old was joined by her little brother George, parents Chelsea and John, grandparents Val McAulay and Elaine and Tommy Todd, and family friend Jenny Souden as she marched from her Campbeltown home, past Dalintober, to the town's war memorial on Saturday.

 

Friends stood outside their homes to cheer them on as they passed and there was a nice gathering of supporters waiting for Emelie when she arrived at the war memorial.

 

There, she joined hands with lots of her little friends as they completed 10 laps around the cenotaph whilst being piped by Charles MacLean.

 

Emelie was only two when she decided last year that she would like to do this walk to raise money to help soldiers in remembrance of her grandfather Jackie Willis, who was in the Royal Irish Rangers, and for her uncle Stuart Willis, who is currently serving with 2 Scots.

 

After completing her walk, Emelie enjoyed a little celebration in the Kilbrannan Bar, which kindly hosted the gathering free and donated the cost of the food to Emelie's fundraiser.

 

Through donations, sponsorship and a raffle, Emelie raised more than £1,550, with more still to come in from auctioning a bottle of whisky and sponsors still to be collected.

 

Emelie described her walk as fun and said she loved her party afterwards, adding that she was happy she had made so much money for the soldiers.

 

Mum Chelsea added: 'I couldn't be more proud of Emelie. Her determination to help others and her understanding of the sacrifices our war heroes made for us at such a young age is inspiring.'

 

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