by Alex Langridge

A small business owner has smashed her fundraising target for a hospital charity after selling handmade rainbow key rings and car hangings.

Sophie Burridge, from Gravesend, initially wanted to raise £300 but has made a total of £1,427 for the Valley Hospital Charity at Darent Valley Hospital.

She decided to create the rainbow crafts after seeing others on the news raising money for the NHS during the coronavirus lockdown.

The 20-year-old, who runs Sophie Burridge Handsewn Crafts, said: "I kept thinking I could make something, then I just decided to do it.”

She says she was amazed to pass her goal.

Darent Valley Hospital shared photos of the items on its Facebook page in a post saying: “The badges look amazing. Thank you Sophie and all those who purchased them.”

Surprised by the response she received, Sophie said she is hugely appreciative to all those who donated.

She added: “I keep having to remind myself that for me doing this alone – just making rainbows – that is quite a lot of money.”

Rainbow drawings have popped up in windows of homes, schools and other buildings up and down the country since the start of the pandemic.

They aim to bring positivity to communities and send a message of thanks to frontline workers.

Sophie added: “I decided to make rainbows because it has been a big symbol of hope for lots of people and a main reference for the NHS, who I really wanted to raise money for.”

She has created more than 200 rainbows from felt after working on them constantly for more than five weeks.

Sophie Burridge Handsewn Crafts can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

For more information on the Valley Hospital Charity visit www.valleyhospitalcharity.org.uk

The KM Group is committed to helping the community through the KM Charity team. For more information and to find out what other good causes you can get involved in click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend