Seven-year-old’s pen pal drawing brightens day for partially sighted Sheffield woman

A seven year old girl’s handmade card made the day of a partially sighted stranger from Sheffield who has little other contact with the outside world.

Matilda Murray, from Broomhall, drew a picture on a card, which found its way to 90 year old Muriel, as part of Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care’s (SCCCC) lockdown pen pal scheme.

The initiative was launched in March to tackle loneliness by asking people to send handwritten letters to help the charity’s service users feel less isolated and lonely during quarantine.

SCCCC now wants to cater for its visually impaired older people who may struggle to read letters, by asking people to send postcards, cards and pictures with a short message.

Muriel’s mum, Becky Murray, said: “I saw the callout for letters or postcards on SCCCC’s social media pages. I suggested to Matilda that it would be a nice thing to do.

“Matilda so desperately wanted to make someone feel happy, and said it must be really hard if you live on your own and cannot get out of the house. She made a card and wrote “thinking of you” inside.”

Becky sent the hand drawn postcard to SCCCC, who distributed it to Muriel. It made Muriel’s day, and she was so thankful that she wrote back to Matilda straight away.

“Matilda received a lovely card from Muriel, and was absolutely thrilled to hear back from her. She is now writing back to Muriel.  It would be lovely if they keep writing to each other – and maybe even meet one day,” Becky added.

To cheer up an older person during lockdown, please send any cards or postcards with the short message “thinking of you”, to Pen pal Scheme, SCCCC Unit 19 President Buildings, Savile Street East, Sheffield, S4 7UQ.

ENDS