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Ten-year-old Summer Best from Wythenshawe is on a mission to make Easter brighter for children across her community.
The Wythenshawe schoolgirl was heartbroken after hearing a classmate say she wouldn’t be getting an Easter egg because her mum couldn’t afford one. “That made me feel really sad,” Summer said. “I love Easter, and I think every child deserves an Easter egg. I didn’t want any child to feel left out.”
Summer Best’s Easter Mission
Summer and the Easter Bunny
That moment became the spark behind Summer’s Easter Mission, a community-driven effort to make sure children across Manchester can enjoy Easter, regardless of their circumstances. For Summer, it’s never been about chocolate alone; it’s about inclusion.
“It’s about helping other children so they feel included,” she explained.
Last year, her mission exceeded even her own expectations. With the support of family, friends and the wider community, Summer collected over 1,000 Easter eggs and 100 Easter teddies.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “It made me feel so happy and proud. Seeing all the eggs and teddies together was amazing.”
The Easter teddies hold a special place in the mission, gifted to children who can’t have chocolate. “I want everyone to feel included, loved and happy at Easter,” Summer said.
How will the donations be used?
The donations are distributed through local food banks, schools, family centres and community centres, ensuring they reach children and families who need them most. Summer’s favourite part of the mission isn’t just collecting donations, it’s helping people understand why the mission matters.
“I love telling people why it’s important and raising awareness,” she said. “Some children won’t even get an Easter egg, and people don’t always realise that.”
Of course, there are lighter moments too, like supermarket trips that draw a few smiles.
“I love going shopping to buy Easter eggs,” Summer laughed, “even though people sometimes look at me funny when I’ve got 100 eggs in my trolley!”
What are Summer’s Mission all about?
While Summer’s Easter Mission is making a huge impact, it’s just one chapter in a much bigger story. Now aged ten, Summer has spent half her life helping others through her wider initiative, Summer’s Missions. Over the past five years, she has led food drives, Christmas appeals and fundraising efforts that have raised thousands of pounds for local causes.
One cause is especially close to her heart. Born 13 weeks premature, Summer spent her earliest days in Wythenshawe Hospital’s Neonatal Unit. Years later, she helped raise funds to refurbish the hospital’s family and parents’ rooms, a way of giving back to the place that once gave her a chance at life.
Summer Best at Wythenshawe Hospital
Her compassion hasn’t gone unnoticed. Summer has been recognised with multiple awards, including the British Citizen Youth Award, presented at the Palace of Westminster, and more recently, a Local Legend Award from Wythenshawe and Sale MP Mike Kane.
Yet despite national recognition, Summer remains focused on what matters most to her, helping other children.
“This year, I just hope lots of people want to help again so we can make a difference for even more children,” she said. “Helping other children makes me really happy.”
Donate to Summer’s Easter Appeal
With her mum by her side and a community firmly behind her, Summer continues to prove that you don’t need to be grown up to change the world. Sometimes, all it takes is noticing someone being left out and deciding to do something about it.
Because when kindness leads the way, even the smallest missions can make the biggest difference
You can donate to Summer’s Easter Appeal by clicking here
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