Madeline, Alia and Taylin have been best friends for years, and although they don't have too many years under their belts - being only 10 years old - they certainly understand the importance of friendship.
Due to an illness, Taylin has spent countless days in B.C. Children's Hospital undergoing various treatments, including brain surgeries. Seeing what their friend has gone through, Madeline and Alia wanted to do something to help.
The three girls, who are in Grade 5 at Pebble Hill Traditional Elementary School in Tsawwassen, decided to purchase a holiday tree as part of the Children's Hospital Festival of Trees as a way to raise money for the hospital and to help sick kids.
"We decided to do this because of Taylin," explains Madeline. "She has had 14 brain surgeries and lots of seizures. We thought this would be a good way to help kids like her."
The Festival of Trees is on display at the Four Seasons hotel in Downtown Vancouver until Jan. 1. To purchase a tree for the event costs $3,000 and many of the participants are large organizations. Madeline, Alia and Taylin have been fundraising in as many ways as they can think of to raise the money for their tree.
"The fundraising was pretty hard. It was harder than we thought, but we have great ideas for next year," says Alia.
On the opening day of the event, the three girls went down to the hotel to decorate their tree, which they have named Kids 4 Kids.
They made many of the decorations themselves and had a great time decorating the tree. They were even awarded "Best Rookie" for their tree.
"I think this experience has been very exciting and I can't wait to see the change the money will make for sick kids," says Madeline.
"It feels good to be helping kids like me who need a new hospital or new equipment. It will make a big difference. They are making a new hospital and that's what we are donating to," says Taylin.
The girls are encouraging people to visit the Four Seasons to check out their tree.
