A north-east youngster is challenging misconceptions about down syndrome with her impressive chocolate making skills.
June Calder-Thomson and her eight-year-old daughter Poppy from Luthermuir have started a not-for-profit chocolate business with the intention of helping local charities.
Mrs Calder-Thomson who works for HSE, enjoys making chocolate as a hobby and started up Poppalooma’s Chocolate Emporium to help teach her daughter, who has down syndrome, life skills.
https://www.facebook.com/juneecalder/videos/266022317797339
The not-f0r-profit business started in June but Mrs Calder-Thomson has been making chocolate for over a year.
The long term goal is to provide Poppy with an employment opportunity for when she leaves school.
In the short term, however, she hopes it will highlight the capabilities of people with down syndrome and break down stereotypes.
The 47-year-old said: “Poppalooma’s raises awareness and challenges misconceptions about down syndrome.
“When people hear Poppy talking in the videos on the Facebook page, any pre-conceptions are gone.
“The feedback has been amazing. One of the videos has thousands of views and people in America and Australia have seen it too.”
Poppalooma is Mrs Calder-Thomson’s pet name for her daughter and Chocolate Emporium was inspired by Poppy’s love of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Poppy helps with everything from measuring the chocolate to helping her mum with the packaging.
However, she has a particular flair for marketing.
Mrs Calder-Thomson said: “She has a big personality and she’s brilliant at selling.
“People can’t say no to her.”
Mrs Calder-Thomson makes chocolate three nights a week and Poppy helps when “she fancies to keep things fun for her”.
In December, Mrs Calder-Thomson will discuss with Poppy which charities she’d like to help.
She said: “Everyone said I needed to sell what I was making but I wasn’t keen to do that and Poppy came up with the idea to help local charities.
“We had a conversation and it ended up being about people who don’t have a lot.
“She had never before encountered the concept of people being homeless and she was really shocked.”
Speaking about her involvement in the business, Poppy said: “I like making all kinds of chocolate. My favourite flavour is passionfruit and I like raspberry too.”
When she’s not helping her mum make chocolate, she enjoys swimming and gymnastics and also won an award at Fettercairn Primary School for drama.
The duo don’t take orders and prefer to sell what they’ve had time make each week.
Products aren’t posted and are for local collection only.
