Schoolgirl’s knock-out donation to York Outreach boxing club

A seven-year-old girl proved she’s an uppercut above the rest by holding a bake sale to raise money for The Salvation Army in York – and in the process picking up a newfound passion for boxing. 

Molly chose to donate the proceeds from her baking to help people who are homeless in the city via the York Early Intervention and Outreach Project, which provides a warm space, drop in for rough sleepers and boxing classes. 

Outreach Service Manager Charlie Malarkey invited Molly and her mum Rachael to attend a boxing session at York Masters Boxing Club with the session proving such a hit that Molly will be taking up the sport herself.  

Molly, who lives in Stamford Bridge, near York, said: “For my Brownies charity badge I wanted to do a bake sale because I love baking. I made chocolate flapjacks, chocolate cake, muffins and biscuits then put them out the front of my house in the afternoon and waited for customers. 

“I chose The Salvation Army because I wanted to help people who are homeless.” 

Rachael said: “We put a post on the community page saying we were having a bake sale so friends and people in the community popped by. We also get a lot of dog walkers going past our house so had a lot of people stop to buy one and ask who she was raising money for. 

“I am super proud of her. It was her idea and she designed the front of the stall, she put a lot of effort into it as well, she really thought out what she was going to bake and she sat out all afternoon waiting for people to go past.

“Molly is aware that there are a lot of people who are less fortunate than us and how lucky we are in terms of where we live and not having to worry about the food we buy. I knew a little bit about The Salvation Army as I’m a mental health nurse, so I knew they supported people in the area and did a google search and found out about Charlie and the York outreach.” 

Molly and Rachael went to donate the £60 raised, half of which was given to a foodbank People’s Pantry and half to The Salvation Army, and were invited to attend a women’s only boxing session.  

Molly said: “I got to do a bit of boxing which was fun - Mum did it as well!” 

Rachael added: “I enjoyed it. All the ladies there were so lovely, really warm and welcoming and properly took Molly under their wing.  Molly said it was the best thing ever so Charlie has very kindly said we can come back and join the group. It was unexpected to find this new hobby, so we feel lucky.

“Charlie said he had used the money to buy lots of Greggs vouchers to distribute to people who were sleeping rough and he was going to tell them that Molly raised the money which I thought was really lovely.” 

Charlie said: “It was fantastic to meet Molly and Rachael at the gym and I’m really pleased they’re going to be coming back to our sessions. The money Molly raised was used to buy vouchers for food for people who are sleeping on the streets, I know how much they appreciated what Molly had done for them. The donations are what keep The Sally Army doing what it’s doing so a really big thank you to Molly for choosing to donate to us.” 

The boxing sessions are open to anyone who wants to join with a particular focus on people struggling with housing issues, mental health and addiction. 

As well as the boxing and exercise classes, The Salvation Army continues to run its drop-in service from Lawrence Street where people who are homeless can sit in a warm space, get food and drink, clothing and signposting to various services in the city.