South Lakes girl gets global media attention after donating money to help rebuild Notre Dame

Nine year-old Caitlyn Handley, of Old Hutton, sent €3.38 to the Fondation du Patrimoine, one of the organisations overseeing the collection of money for rebuilding the Parisian cathedral.

The story was subsequently picked up by a variety of news outlets, including CNN, The Tribune, Paris Match and The Statesman.

On April 15 Notre Dame, which is over 800 years-old and an iconic French landmark, went up in flames. The spire and parts of the roof collapsed, although much of the structure was saved.

Caitlyn, who goes to Old Hutton Primary School, first heard about the the story on the news, and decided to do what she could to help.

Notre Dame prior to the fire which destroyed the spire and parts of the roof. Picture: Pixabay

“I felt sad... Because it was very old, and it looked like a very nice building,” she said.

She then realised she possessed foreign currency which she could send to France. Her father, Simon Handley, travelled the world in his former job as an engineer, and used to bring different coinage back with him.

“Caitlyn had the euros for show and tell at school and she asked what currency they used [in France]... She said ‘I have got some euros!’” he said.

His daughter sent what change she had to the Fondation du Patrimoine, accompanied by a handwritten letter, which read:

“Dear people of France and Paris. My name is Caitlyn and I am nine years-old.

“I live in England. I heard about the Notre Dame fire on the radio and wanted to help.

“I know it’s not much but every bit helps. Hopefully it won’t take long to build. Thanks; Caitlyn.”

The family had no idea that the letter had attracted national - and global - attention until Mr Handley got a call from CNN while he was in a business meeting in London, asking him if he had read the news.

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“I was really proud. Everybody is really proud,” he said.

Caitlyn added: “I didn’t think it would be this big. I didn’t think this would happen.”

The Notre Dame fire led to a huge outpouring of grief - and subsequently a tidal wave of support and generosity - all over the world. The BBC reported that the estimated cost of rebuilding the cathedral lies between €300 and €600 million. To send a donation to Notre Dame through the Fondation du Patrimoine visit: https://don.fondation-patrimoine.org/SauvonsNotreDame/.