A nine-year-old Bridgnorth girl has won a prestigious Shropshire Outstanding Young Citizens’ Award for her work in raising more than £1,100 for a Nepalese charity that runs an orphanage in Kathmandu.
Katrina Themans, who attends St John’s Roman Catholic School and visited the foothills of Mount Everest two years ago as part of a medical expedition, has been presented with the Blue Peter Silver Badge. She was struck during her stay by the appalling conditions of children living on the streets of Kathmandu.
She raised the money by producing a weekly newsletter for the last 18 months called ‘The Kat’ an idea which stemmed from some homework which was to create a newspaper.
Katrina, who was seven at the time, decided to send it by email to her granny, godparents and aunt as well and they loved it so much that she decided to do it again the next week and charge 5p a copy.
News of the rather charming newspaper which only ever reports good news spread quickly and the distribution grew rapidly as more people wanted to sign up to her weekly emails.
At the same time donations rolled in through Katrina’s very own ‘Just Giving’ website to support the charity Child Action Nepal.
“We’re amazed and proud that Katrina has now raised enough money to support another child in the orphanage for 18 months,” said her father, Johnny, who initially helped his daughter with the layout of the newsletter and emailing.
“Katrina, is I believe, Child Action Nepal’s second largest contributor and certainly their youngest. They have been delighted with her contribution and we have been very grateful for the generosity of her readers some of whom have never met Katrina.”
St John’s School headteacher Helen Murray was with Katrina when she received her award from High Sheriff of Shropshire, Ann Gee.
“It is marvellous to see this superb achievement from a quiet and unassuming, but nevertheless positive and cheerful child and I have been amazed at her commitment and resourcefulness in wanting to help the children in Nepal,” said Mrs Murray.
“The idea of a good newsletter is a fabulous way to spread information about Nepal and happy family news.
“Katrina has produced ‘The Kat’ weekly and has steadily increased its circulation to over 130,” she added. “I have also become an avid reader. This is not a one-off fundraising project it really is a long-term commitment that Katrina has undertaken all by her herself.
“She has a real understanding of the limited resources in the orphanage in Nepal and has set out personally to do something about it.”
Florence Krief, founder of the charity heading up Katrina’s nomination, said they were proud and grateful to have her as a supporter. “Katrina is by far our youngest supporter and we are amazed by not only the fact that she decided to do something concrete to help children from one of the poorest countries on earth, thereby showing a great deal of maturity for her age, but also the ingenuity with which she has pursued her goal.
“She is an example to all for her kind heart and determination to make a difference to the world.”
Katrina is also a keen dancer at the Severn Valley School of Dance, a Tasley Brownie and a member of Northgate Swimming Club.