Filey schoolgirl's sweet idea to help children less fortunate this Christmas

Ruby Gleeson, eight, from Filey is helping to make Christmas a little more special this year by collecting chocolate for children who are less fortunate than her.
Ruby and store managers in Tesco Filey.Ruby and store managers in Tesco Filey.
Ruby and store managers in Tesco Filey.

Ruby had the idea when she was on her way to school and told her mum, Amber, since then they have been inundated with generous cash and chocolate donations that have gone way beyond anything they imagined.

Amber said: "We were walking to school as usual and Ruby just said to me 'Mum I've decided I want to spend my pocket money getting some sweets for children who don't get anything for Christmas.'

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"She had £13 that she was saving up for an Ipad, which obviously wasn't a lot, so we decided to open up a facebook page and we now have a conservatory full of chocolate.

Ruby scanning her chocolate through the tills.Ruby scanning her chocolate through the tills.
Ruby scanning her chocolate through the tills.

"We have so many donations including some from Filey Lions, Bayside Kitchen and the Rotary club."

Tesco in Filey heard about Ruby's cause and invited her to the store to do her shopping, they also gave her a uniform and she was able to scan her own items. Ruby had collected £205 in donations but the bill came to £270 so Tesco kindly offered to clear the rest of the bill.

The chocolate donations were originally going to be split between The Rainbow Centre and Filey Community Fridge, however with the overwhelming response they will also be sending some of the donations to The Duke of Kent Ward and North Yorkshire County Council Children and Family services.

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When asked what made her come up with the idea Ruby said: “I am very lucky that I get chocolate and things for Christmas and I know that not all children are as lucky.

"I did not think that we would get this much, not one bit."

Proud parents Amber and Wayne want to thank everyone who has donated so far and also give a special thank you to Richard Day and Sharron Mason, managers at Tesco, Filey for their generosity and kindness to Ruby.

If you would like to donate some chocolate to Ruby's Christmas chocolate haul you can do so by dropping off any donations at Scott's Hot Roasts in Filey who are taking donations on behalf of the family until December 13.

To visit Ruby's facebook page you can do so by clicking HERE.

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