Sweet thought from Thatcham girl

Seven-year-old donates chocolate to children at West Berkshire Mencap

A SWEET-hearted Thatcham girl has donated chocolate to children at West Berkshire Mencap.

Surprised at winning 24 selection boxes in a raffle, seven-year-old Shayla Bowley-Clark selflessly gave away the Cadbury bars last week.

Her mother, Leah Bowley, said that Shayla had made up her mind to donate the chocolate before she had even won it.

Miss Bowley said that her daughter originally wanted to gift the bars to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

But after being told that the London hospital could not accept the sweet treats, owing to the children being very ill and unable to eat them, Shayla decided to donate them locally, to West Berkshire Mencap.

Mencap provides services to people in the district with learning disabilities, their families and carers.

Shayla said that she decided to give away the chocolate because it was “a nice thing to do”.

“I feel happy because I gave it away. I made lots of children smile.”

Her mother said: “I don’t know many children who would have given them away.

“I’m proud of her that she has thought of others rather than herself. She knows there’s children out there who can’t do all the things she can.”

Although Shayla kept the largest selection box, the thoughtful Thatcham Park pupil shared the chocolate with her brother.

West Berkshire Mencap said: “A big thank you to Shayla for so kindly donating her selection box prize to the children of West Berkshire Mencap’s Christmas Playscheme.

“Shayla is an amazing young lady and her special gift will bring many smiles to the wonderful children we have the pleasure of supporting.”