Sweets For The Streets

Jan 13 2008 By Heather Greenaway

Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards 2008 Teenager Amy Sells Chocs To Raise Cash For City's Homeless

A SCHOOLGIRL has proved she's a real sweetie by selling homemade chocolates to help the homeless.

Amy Green, 14, was heartbroken at the number of homeless people forced to sleep on the streets in her home city.

The kind-hearted teen, of Edinburgh, has now raised hundreds of pounds for the Bethany Christian Trust by selling bags of chocolates to pupils and teachers at Balerno High School and doing a sponsored swim. Amy said: "Every time I went into the city I would see homeless people looking cold, hungry and alone.

"It brought tears to my eyes. I thought there must be something I could do to help.

"I started off with a sponsored swim then progressed to the idea of making bags of fun-shaped chocolates.

"They were an instant hit and I used to rush home after school to make them.

"I sent the money to the Bethany Christian Trust, who make life more bearable for the homeless in Scotland."

Amy's selfless fundraising has earned her a Young Scot nomination in the enterprise category.

She was put forward by Edinburgh resident Sarah Jones, who read about her work in a local paper.

Sarah said: "I thought she deserved recognition. By making and selling sweets she is using her business initiative to help others less fortunate than herself."

The Bethany Trust said: "It's fantastic someone so young wants to help the homeless.

"She is a true example to other young people."

Amy's mum Suzanne, 49, a freelance writer, added: "Amy and her sister Julia, who is 11, are very aware of the world around them and the more they can do for other people, the happier they are."

Amy is now busy planning her next venture and is thrilled her recent efforts have been praised. She said: "I'm very excited to be nominated. I hope to go on another chocolate-selling mission soon."

Do you know someone, aged between 12 and 22, who is as enterprising as Amy?

If so, nominate them for the Sunday Mail & Lloyds TSB Young Scot Awards at www.youngscotawards.co.uk.

The winners will be announced at a starstudded ceremony at Glasgow City Halls on March 20.

SUNDAY EMAIL

h.greenaway@sundaymail.co.uk