VIDEO: Wigan schoolgirl's tribute to terror victims

Holly Capstick, 10, has generated more than £700 for the British Red Cross Solidarity fund and the Saffie-Rose Roussos Fund, by selling her unique interpretations of the Manchester bee.

The Year Five pupil, who attends Wood Fold Primary School in Standish, has created individual drawings of the iconic insect which has become symbolic of the terror attack victims. She has also created wire bees, which she is selling for £5 to mark the one-year anniversary of the atrocity, which killed 22 people and injured hundreds more.

“The response to the bees has been amazing,” said Sue Capstick, Holly’s mum. “She’s more than 60 orders so far of the bee prints and the wire bees.

“Holly has done this off her own back. She was hoping to raise around £50 in total and has now made hundreds.”

Holly, who has always been interested in arts and crafts, came up with the idea to help her mum’s friend Tracey Turner - who works for the British Red Cross Solidarity Fund and was trying to collect handmade bee items to sell in a fundraising bid to mark 12 months since the attack.

The youngster also chose to help raise money for the Saffie-Rose Roussos fund which was set up in memory of the eight-year-old girl, who was the youngest victim of the attack.

“A lovely gesture from such a young girl to mark such a poignant occasion,” said Sue. “Holly had drawn a bee picture so we thought we would see if anyone would be interested in buying it. Before we knew it we had so many people wanting to buy a copy.

“Holly has been selling them at school. She stood in front of the whole school and told them what she was doing and why. It’s been a great experience for her with the management of money and doing the orders. Everyone has been so complimentary of what she is doing.”

Since so many people showed interest in the bees, Sue even began selling them at The Bridgeman Centre Physio and Sports Injury Clinic where she works. The family is also advertising them on Facebook.

Sue said that people have stepped forward to help promote the fundraiser. She said: “JPS Printing in Leigh have done all of the bee prints for free. They know it’s for charity so have charged us nothing to do it.”

So far, Holly has sold one of her original bee drawings for £100. In return for such a generous offer, Holly created a design which has the buyer’s initials hidden within the intricate design on the wings.

To find out more about the wire bees, prints or original drawings, or to place an order, email Sue Capstick on [email protected]