Girl forgoes presents to help the homeless

Grace Dearing, from Bradfield, chose to forgo presents for her fifth birthday, opting for food to be donated to a homeless charity instead.
Grace said: “I asked my friends to bring food donations to my party instead of presents as I am lucky and have lots of toys and wanted to help people who have nothing.”
The food parcels will go to Launchpad, a Reading-based charity that supports vulnerable and homeless people in the town.
Grace was inspired to donate to Launchpad in memory of her grandfather, Peter Fraser, who died when she was three-months-old. Mr Fraser was a member of Reading Rotary Club who helped raise money for Centenary House, a joint initiative with Launchpad.
She was also helped in her decision after a discussion about the amount of presents children receive, with a family friend from America who visited in the summer.
Grace’s mother Kimiko, said that she was surprised that Grace was still asking for food donations for her birthday months after the discussion.
“My husband and I were both very surprised that she was happy to forgo gifts from her friends to help others,” Mrs Dearing said.
“She didn't go without on the day as she had gifts from family. Grace's Nan Jane, Peters Wife, was glad to see that Grace wanted to do such a selfless thing in Peter's memory. Jane is still a member of the Reading Rotary group so she is pleased to keep them up to date on what Grace has been doing.”
Grace helped deliver the food with her mother and two grandmothers to launchpad on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Launchpad said: “The food Grace delivered will be used to support the Severe Weather Emergency Project. [This] is a tricky service to plan for as it only runs when the temperature is forecast to drop to zero degrees for 3 nights or more, this is when rough sleepers are at increased health risks.”