Ely’s favourite Gary Barlow superfan has once again been organising fundraising activities for Children in Need.  

Sue Smith has managed to collect a wide range of prizes for her online raffles, including tickets for the singer’s shows in London, Newcastle and Salford.  

She also secured five Take That dolls from the 90s, still in their original packaging, copies of the star’s autobiography and other Gary Barlow related memorabilia.  

Sue, a childminder who runs Sweet Peas Childcare, has held similar fundraising efforts over the last 11 years for Children in Need.  

Ely Standard:

So far this year, she has managed to raise £2,415. 

Sue said: “As a childminder of 22 years I have cared for over 260 children.  

“These children and families benefit from the love and nurturing I can offer in their early years, so it only seems right that I try and make a difference to those less fortunate.” 

Sue coordinates raffles mainly over social media with the Facebook group ‘Sue’s Children in Need Raffle 2022’.  

She added: “I am also raffling a special prize, which has been endorsed by Gary Barlow himself as he has acknowledged and supported my fund raising. 

“But I’m keeping this as a special surprise for two lucky recipients...” 

Ely Standard:

Children in Need 2022 has so far raised more than £35 million for causes across the country. 

Generous businesses in and around Ely have also contributed prizes including: Poets House, Cherry Hill Chocolates, Toppers Hair Design, Treasure Chest, Uclassy, the Eel Catcher’s Daughter, City Cycle Centre, Fore Beauty, Lane Academy of Dance and Sophie’s afternoon tea and cakes.

Sue has also organised a community soft play session at Treetops in Ely for childminders and children on Thursday (November 24), with proceeds from the morning donated to the cause.

There will also be a chance to buy £1 tickets for her community raffle at the event.

Ely Standard:

Sue is such a huge Gary Barlow fan and is often in touch with him.

She was in Wolverhampton at the weekend to see his current show "A Different Stage".

After her face-to-face meeting with him in 2018, she had his autograph tattooed on her wrist.

Ely Standard:

Sue said: “I have kept Gary up to date with the fundraising efforts as the total continues to rise and I feel so totally humbled by his support.

“It is his down to earth nature, his empathy, kindness, selflessness and desire to make people happy... which inspires me to try and make just a small difference to those children and families less fortunate.”