Isabella Sommerfeld has spent the last year of her life travelling to and from Melbourne for life-changing medial treatments.
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Even at just 11 years-old, it has made her acutely aware that there are other children like her - and some with conditions far more debilitating - that need all the help they can get.
That’s why Isabella has turned a craft she has mastered during her health battles into a four month long fundraiser to support the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Isabella has handmade a box full of love heart shaped acrylic earrings in the Royal Children’s Hospital’s corporate colours - lime green and purple.
And every cent of the $8 price tag on each pair will be donated as part of this year’s Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
Through sales made in the last two weeks - since being given official approval to fundraise on behalf of the hospital - and community donations, she has already raised $200.
Isabella is receiving treatment for a high pollen allergy, which for much of 2021 saw her unable to attend school or even go outside to play.
The treatment is being administered by the Melbourne Allergy Centre & Children’s Specialists (MACCS), which is located at the former Royal Children’s Hospital site.
That’s where the idea for her fundraiser was born.
“It just makes me sad that they had a hospital but needed a bigger one,” Isabella said.
“I feel like this is a good reason to give back and to help other sick kids.
“No kid should be left alone with illness.
“My goal is to raise $1000, but I want to give back as much as I can.
“It’s like a trade; they look after me, so I want to pay it back with good karma.”
Mum Amanda Sommerfeld said Isabella was diagnosed with the high pollen allergy in 2020.
It worsened in 2021 when nasal sprays and other medications would no longer work.
Being outside would cause severe asthma attacks, and would leave Isabella with welts and swelling.
The severe reaction would even flare up on drives with the family.
“By the end of 2021 she was really sick, and we got a referral to MACCS,” Amanda said.
“In March last year she started immunotherapy, which involves monthly injections for three years.
“We’ve already noticed an improvement in the quality of life since starting and she has not missed as much school, but because the weather has been so suppressed the effectiveness still has not been fully tested.”
Even attending local markets, which is where Isabella builds her customer base, is a challenge.
“I have to dose up on Zyrtec, but the day after my eyes will still close and my lips will swell,” she said.
Jewellery making started as an outlet for Isabella to keep herself busy when she was unable to leave the house.
She soon realised it would be a great way to earn some money, and has now progressed to supporting worthwhile charities.
“It was in October 2021; Isabella had been off school for a while by this stage and we were going through craft websites to see what she could do.
“She wanted to make earrings for her friends because you can’t get a lot of children’s earrings in Deniliquin.
“We initially starting selling them to friends and family through my Facebook page, but then we started a page of her own - Wildheart Accessories,” Amanda said.
“But mum manages it, because I am too young” Isabella piped up.
After sales picked up there, Isabella set her sights higher.
“She then told me she would like to go to markets, and the Deniliquin Street Bazaar last year was her first.
“Then she went to the Mathoura Easter Fair, and the Deni markets. She also goes to Moama, Bendigo, Murrabit, Toc.
“Instead of driving her to sport, we go to markets.
“We’ve had to get her insurance, an EFPTOS machine, and Isabella knows she has to buy all the materials herself.”
Isabella’s earrings come in a variety of sizes and shapes - from cute studs to “dangly ones” - and the science mad pre-teen says the space themed ones are her favourite.
They are all made from acrylic with surgical steel posts.
Isabella chooses the designs and makes the earrings by herself, although she does get a little help sometimes.
Sister Grace helps on the odd occasion; although she’s branching out on her own into brooches and keyrings.
And her mother helps when she’s using the laser cutter she bought with her earrings earnings just before Christmas.
Grandmother Glenda Palmer is her best customer - and jokes she has never been offered a family discount - and aunty Belinda Palmer is always there to help on market days.
Before earrings, Isabella and Grace made bracelets and necklaces and even before that - in 2018 - they made and sold scrunchies outside their east Deniliquin home.
Now she has her laser cutter, Isabella has announced her next big investment would be a shopfront here in Deniliquin.
And Amanda said with her drive, it will be interesting to see how long it takes her.
“She has started reading the Barefoot Investor For Kids, so who knows where it will go from here,” she said.
Isabella’s Royal Children’s Hospital fundraiser will run right up until Easter, with sales on the love heart earrings closing on April 6.
To support her fundraising campaign, look out for Isabella at district markets or go to the Wildheart Accessories Facebook page.
Senior journalist