Ribble Valley heroes of the community recognised

Six-year-old Sonny Steventon has won a pair of tickets for after the kind-hearted Clitheroe schoolboy raised £1,000 for the National Health Service.

Sonny, who attends St James’ Primary School, was nominated as a Beat-Herder Ribble Valley hero of the community by Derek Russell.

Derek, a charity fundraiser in Clitheroe, said: “At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sonny decided he wanted to help the NHS. He set up a stall on the front doorstep of the family home on Woone Lane, selling rocks and pebbles that he had painted with beautiful and colourful designs.

“Neighbours, friends and passers-by were so impressed with Sonny’s generosity and initiative, that they quickly proved a big hit. Through his fantastic, caring effort he has raised £1,073 for the NHS.”

Sonny is now busy fundraising to try and raise funds to buy outdoor play equipment for his school and has so far raised over £500.

Derek added: “Sonny’s father Alex loves Beat-Herder and it would give Sonny so much pleasure to present his dad with a pair of tickets for next year. Sonny is an inspiration and his kindness really does shine out of him.

“Sonny hopes that one day when he is old enough to attend Beat-Herder he will see his dad’s band Tryo play there.”

Brother and sister Rebecca and Samuel Case, from Clitheroe, were dancing with joy after winning tickets to next year’s festival.

Jayne Case, a midwife manager at Burnley General Hospital, said: “Rebecca and Samuel worked so hard during the pandemic lockdown.

“I was so proud of the way that they both supported myself and my husband, who are key workers and continued to work during the lockdown. Because of the lockdown restrictions, Rebecca was upset at the thought of having to finish her teacher training course at Manchester University early and Daniel had to complete his A-Level studies at Burnley College remotely.

“Despite that, they both went out and found themselves a job as key workers at Clitheroe’s Tesco supermarket. They also did the shopping, cooked and helped with the housework at home, sometimes with a little reminding.

“Sam and Rebecca also shopped for their grandparents and our elderly neighbours who couldn’t get out.

“Plus, they had to socially isolate at home as requested because of a house of key workers, so there was plenty of Facetime, Zoom and telephone calls. They were both very disappointed at the cancellation of Beat-Herder, which they both love and also missing their holidays.”