Carnforth schoolgirl dances off lockdown anxiety, raising hundreds of pounds for other pupils

Millie Metcalfe has been dancing and writing poetry to raise money so that less fortunate children are able to use laptops at home during lockdown.
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Like many children Millie, 10, who attends Carnforth Community Primary School, struggled during the first lockdown last year.

She said she became withdrawn, not wanting to do the simplest of activities, and she was diagnosed as having anxiety.

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Her mum Clare Foster said that Millie would do anything to help anyone, and has always been a social butterfly, but not being able to see friends and family took its toll.

Clare and Millie.Clare and Millie.
Clare and Millie.

Millie said: “I felt so very sad, I just wanted to see my family and friends, we tried to keep busy and positive but no matter what we did it just wasn’t the same.

"I started to panic even when going to the shop or a walk, I hated the way it made me feel, I hated shaking and panicking, my mum and step dad tried to keep us busy and positive but as they are both key workers I worried about them to."

Millie said that this time around she decided she would not let it get her down, and vowed to help as many people as possible stay happy every day.

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She discussed with her mum what they felt grateful for, and Millie said she was grateful that the family has the ability to do their school work at home.

Millie Metcalfe, aged 10, from Carnforth.Millie Metcalfe, aged 10, from Carnforth.
Millie Metcalfe, aged 10, from Carnforth.

Clare said: "This got Millie thinking, within a few moments she said she really worried about the children that don’t have the equipment to learn from home, she said everyone should get a chance.

"Then the idea came to her, she said she wanted to raise enough money to supply just one tablet or laptop to a child that needs it!"

So far Millie has raised more than £230, dancing and trying to make people smile on social media.

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Clare said: "Millie was diagnosed with anxiety in the last lockdown.

Clare and Millie dancing on social media platform TikTok.Clare and Millie dancing on social media platform TikTok.
Clare and Millie dancing on social media platform TikTok.

"She’s always been such a happy girl but it really shook her up, just like it did many other children.

"On the first day Millie took a vow that this lockdown would not stop her from being positive, she said she wanted to bring sparkle and cheer to everyone, she went to her room and wrote a poem, that poem has had over 3,000 views on it and has been shared all over including Spain and America.

"Next she wanted to raise money to help children in our local community that are less fortunate than her, she wanted to raise enough to buy one laptop or tablet.

"Millie has raised enough to supply four tablets!

Millie Metcalfe has raised enough money to supply four laptops to fellow pupils.Millie Metcalfe has raised enough money to supply four laptops to fellow pupils.
Millie Metcalfe has raised enough money to supply four laptops to fellow pupils.
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"She has been doing all sorts to raise this money but mainly dancing and getting me involved to.

"The children are our future and their positive outcomes and doings should be shared in this dark time.

"Me and her step dad couldn’t be more proud of her!"

You can donate to Millie's fundraiser HERE.

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