By Danielle Kutchel
Seven-year-old Lochie has long been a patient at the Royal Children’s Hospital – and now he’s giving back.
The Cranbourne boy was born with symbrachydactyly, which means he is missing a finger.
He sees an occupational therapist at the hospital once a quarter, and the surgeon yearly – and his visits prompted him to think about the other children in need.
“We see people who are so worse off than what we are and it makes us realise how lucky we are,” Lochie’s mum Clare said.
Lochie decided he wanted to help the hospital after watching a YouTube clip of a child holding a lemonade stall fundraiser, and quickly set out to do the same.
So on Saturday 27 March, from 10am til 3pm, he will have a lemonade stand outside his house on Evelyne Street.
‘Lochie’s Lemonade Stand’ will be fully stocked with cups of his version of homemade lemonade – his favourite drink – for $1, as well as bags of mixed lollies, also for $1, for a sweet treat.
Lochie is also getting a little help from friends and the wider Cranbourne community.
Local businesses have jumped on board to help, donating items to put into a raffle, the entire proceeds of which will go to the hospital.
Raffle tickets will be available prior to the day and will be sold up until 2.45pm on the day of the lemonade stand, with the prizes being drawn at 3pm.
La-Dash Handmade Candles is running a bingo-style fundraiser to support Lochie’s cause too, where visitors to the business’ Facebook page can pick a number and be in with a chance to win special prizes, with half of the proceeds going directly to the Royal Children’s Hospital.
There will also be children’s entertainment on the day to add to the fun.
Clare and Lochie hope that the proceeds from the fundraiser will help other hospital patients feel better.
“I’m doing this to help sick kids,” Lochie said.
To find out more, visit Loch’s Lemonade Stand on Facebook.
