Caring Chiara pulls heartstrings for charity

Chiara Stride is looking forward to a "bit of a boogie" at her charity disco tonight. Photo / Warren Buckland

Chiara Stride is looking forward to a "bit of a boogie" at her charity disco tonight.

The 10-year-old has organised the children's disco at the Village Baptist Church, Havelock North.

All the proceeds are going to Ronald McDonald House in Christchurch, to replace some of the money that was stolen from there earlier in the year.

Chiara was also inspired to help after a pupil at Te Mata School was recently diagnosed with cancer.

She said she told her mum she was not keen to help sell lollies on the night as she wanted to dance with her friends.

Chiara said her capacity for compassion has always been with her.

"It's a gift I have always had," she said.

She was confident of tonight's event being a success.

"I just hope lots of people come."

She is hopeful of raising more than $100 for the house.

The keen volunteer also took the opportunity of a persuasive writing exercise at school to express her feelings about the importance of helping.

Chiara wrote: "I reckon EVERYONE should volunteer at some stage of their life because it helps their community and your community.

"I am pretty much saying if YOU volunteer you could just make a difference in someone's life." Chiara's mother Diane Stride was proud of her daughter.

"She has always been interested in people and gets upset when she hears about injustice."

She said the church had been fantastic in assisting Chiara in organising the event.

Ms Stride said the church auditorium had been blacked out and "just this week we had some new lighting installed so it will be a great venue.

"All the songs have been vetted on the play list to ensure that they are age appropriate."

Havelock North Rotary Club member and Country2Coast event director Kevin Longman was so moved by Chiara's story, he has come on board to support.

"We think the initiative is brilliant and would like to support Chiara in her fund-raising efforts and by way of assistance our club has decided that for every child that enters the 2016 Country2Coast event, we will donate $5 to the Ronald McDonald House charity," Mr Longman said.

Another was so touched by the article that they sent Chiara a card and a $50 pledge.

-The disco, for children aged 5-13, will be held at the Village Baptist church from 6pm-8pm tonight.

Entry is $2, lollies and drinks will also be available. Proceeds to Ronald McDonald House.