An Isle of Wight secondary school student, who has become well known for her fundraising efforts, has been celebrated with an award from the High Sherriff.
Macie Edkins-Wherry has used her time in lockdown to help others, with her projects so far including raising over £2,000 to support the introduction of a new mental health support room for students at Carisbrooke College and saving money earnt from her paper round to buy over 100 Christmas gifts for vulnerable and isolated young people.
More recently, Macie has once again saved more of her hard-earned money and organised a collaboration with Morrisons to deliver Easter eggs and Easter-themed gifts to elderly care home residents and elderly patients who will be in hospital over the Easter period.
High Sherriff, Caroline Peel, commented on Macie’s drive for helping others and said she was ‘impressed by the way in which Macie inspired her peer group to support those around them who may be in need’.
The High Sherriff’s award for her outstanding contribution to Island life in the face of adversity was presented to Macie yesterday morning (Tuesday) following her nominations from community organisation Pan Together and her head of year.
Speaking to Island Echo, Macie said:
“It was really overwhelming to have been nominated and even more so to have been given this award and I couldn’t stop smiling when I found out.
“I was nominated by my head of year Charlotte Hookey and by Rachel Thompson, the manager of Pan Together, after I saved the money from my paper round to buy Christmas gifts and cards for the elderly in homes and the community.”
Article continues below this advertisement “I’d not have been able to do it all without everyone’s support, and I can’t thank them enough.”
A Carisbrooke College spokesperson said:
“We are so proud of Macie; she is a wonderful ambassador for our school. She thoroughly deserves this award and the recognition of her selfless hard work and determination to support others.”
