SYDNEY MINES, N.S. — Charlotte Hardy knows how scary a trip to the hospital can be.
Last spring, the Sydney Mines girl watched as her little brother Bennett was taken to hospital in Sydney with an unknown illness.
Doctors later airlifted the now two-year-old to the IWK Health Centre in Halifax for treatment after it was discovered he was born with a hole in his intestine.
“It was kind of out of the blue and scary and doctors didn’t know what it was or what they could do,” said Charlotte’s mother Dawn Hardy. “Luckily they found it and fixed it and he’s as good as new.”
The mother of four said her son’s hospital visits left a lasting impact on her second-oldest daughter Charlotte.
For weeks leading up to her ninth birthday on Jan. 21, Charlotte talked about wanting to help patients who were facing similar situations.
“It really affected her,” said Hardy. “She was upset and worried for so long, and then when we got home she talked about how it’s so good that we have hospitals and doctors there when we need them.”
The big-hearted Grade 3 student at Jubilee Elementary in Sydney Mines used her birthday money, totalling $100, to purchase items from the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation’s Because You Care catalogue.
The itemized list contains gifts ranging from $20 seed packets for a community garden to a $7,000 blanket warmer.
Charlotte chose to fund a Caleb's Courage superhero kit, including toys, crafts and comfort items, along with pyjamas for pediatric patients.
Named in honour of Caleb MacArthur, the Caleb’s Courage superhero initiative helps children with serious or life-threatening illnesses and their families in Cape Breton.
About a year after being diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer, MacArthur died just a month shy of his fourth birthday.
“From the start she was sure she wanted to do it and she never let us forget it until we took her over,” said Hardy of her daughter’s desire to donate her birthday money.
“She’s always been the most caring, kind and thoughtful. She’s always worried about others’ feelings and doing the right thing.”
Charlotte said she wanted to bring comfort to patients in the hospital who would rather be home with their families.
“It felt really good to know that people could be feeling better,” the little girl said.
Charlotte’s older sister Ella, 13, also joined in on the charitable work by purchasing a few books for children in the pediatrics unit as well.
“It’s always incredible to see when our younger donors give back,” said Mark Inglis, communications officer with the hospital foundation.
“After hearing Charlotte’s reason for donating her birthday money, it was especially touching and meaningful. Her gift will help other sick kids in her community.”
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