WHEN we were growing up, our pocket money was strictly reserved for sweets or maybe even a new pair of Claire’s Accessories earrings if we were feeling extravagant.
But for best friends Addyson McGuire, six, and Lucy Shaban, four, their hard-earned pocket money is going towards a much more important cause.
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The Australian children, from Mareeba, Queensland, have combined their small allowances to buy toilet paper and tissues for the elderly community in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Addyson’s mum Petrina posted a sweet photo of the pair holding a soft toy in each hand and pulling along a wooden cart full of supplies their neighbours would have struggled to stock up on.
The proud mum wrote: “Loaded with toilet paper and tissues they purchased with pocket money and are walking around pensioner cottages seeing if they need any.”
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Patrina explained how her daughter was inspired to give out supplies when she accompanied her mum to the supermarket and noticed the empty aisles.
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After being told that members of the community were stockpiling, Addyson expressed concerned for elderly neighbours who might struggle to get to the shops.
The mum said: “Addyson asked if she could buy some to hand out to those that may have missed out using money she had saved from the tooth fairy.”
Unsurprisingly, the girls’ neighbours were touched by the sweet gesture.
“The pensioners loved having them knock on the door and ask if they would like some as the shops run out,” Patrina said. “Some people needed some and were very grateful.”
What is coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause infections ranging from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars).
The virus attacks the respiratory system, causing pneumonia-like lung lesions.
Some of the virus types cause less serious disease, while others – like the one that caused Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) – are far more severe.
In 2003 an outbreak of a similar virus, Sars, killed more than 900 around the world within weeks.
Symptoms are similar to a common cold.
They include:
- a runny nose
- headache
- cough
- fever
- shortness of breath
- chills
- body aches
One neighbour was so appreciative of the sweet gesture that she even gave the girls a bag of “fairy crystals” to say thank you for the toilet paper.
Meanwhile, another took some of the supplies to an elderly neighbour who had been too unwell to go the store.
The proud mum says she shared the photo because “there has been so much negativity lately and she just wanted to share something positive.”
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Her post has racked up over 1,900 “likes” from other Facebook users who were blown away by the children’s generosity.
One replied: “A lot of adults could take a leaf outta the little ones book.”
Another added: “Parenting done right! Thank you to these parents for teaching their kids what kids and some people are lacking these days: compassion and looking after one another.”
A third wrote: “Absolutely amazing. Beautiful little girls.”
In more parenting news, this mum-of-16 was shamed for buying “too much” toilet paper amid coronavirus stockpilers – but it was just her weekly shop.
And this teen was sent home from school for charging “50 a squirt” for hand sanitiser to fight coronavirus – but his dad says he’s a “legend”.
Plus this thrifty mum-of-two revealed she’s ALWAYS stockpiled to give her family “security” – and it could save you thousands.
