Esme Palmer, of Balclutha, on Saturday sold some of her early childhood "treasures" — including dolls, books, games, shoes and toys — to raise money for Ronald McDonald House charitable lodgings where she spent 172 nights during a cancer battle in 2019.
Her mother, Megan Balchin, said Balclutha businesses and the community got behind the sale at the South Otago Athletics Club clubrooms and helped to turn into a "huge success".
"What started as a couple of boxes of her own toys [Esme] wanted to sell, became a tsunami of donations from the community," Ms Balchin said.
"Despite the inclement weather, people still came out to support Esme and many left with a great stash of good quality but well-priced pre-loved items ready to restock their children’s toy cupboards for the winter.
"The pony rides were also a huge success."
The sale raised $1885 for the "home-away-from-home" for families who had to travel to Christchurch for their child's medical treatment.
"There has already been talk of this becoming an annual event, so watch this space," Ms Balchin said.
When she was 4 years old, Esme underwent six months of treatment for Burkitt lymphoma — a cancer of the lymphatic system.
She stayed at Ronald McDonald House South Island, in Christchurch, with her parents during her treatment.
