A Dundee toddler who thanked Nicola Sturgeon after she reached out to explain why her birthday party was cancelled has celebrated with her classmates at nursery.
Darcii-Quinn Mills, who turns five on Tuesday, managed to mark it with a physically-distanced celebration at Butterflies Nursery, organised by her teachers.
When told earlier this month her bash at home could not go ahead, the youngster demanded “who’s saying that?!” but accepted the reasons after Scotland’s leader recorded a short video addressed to her.
Free balloons were provided by Sparkle Magic Balloons & Gifts, while Silver Platters delivered free party food.
Manager at the Longtown Road nursery Caroline McDiarmid said hosting the party was a “no-brainer” as the Douglas tot would be attending anyway while her key worker parents were on shift.
“We had to do something. We’re not in the habit of throwing birthday parties but it was a no-brainer considering the circumstances.
“I’ve known Darcii-Quinn since she was a baby. She is a big character and very inquisitive.
“She just couldn’t understand who was telling her she couldn’t have a party.
“We realised that she would be in the nursery for most of the day on Monday anyway so it was the perfect solution.
“Her birthday is actually Tuesday but she isn’t in then so this worked the best.”
Darcii-Quinn’s uncle Lee Mills had posted a video online of his confused niece asking the First Minister why she could not invite her friends to her tree house.
Here’s @NicolaSturgeon answering my niece who was wondering “why her friends couldn’t come to her birthday party” I’ll post her video below! Thank you Nicola pic.twitter.com/Yse7UtH6DI
— Leemills (@yes_leemills) May 14, 2020
The same day, Nicola Sturgeon replied with a video filmed in her living room wishing her happy birthday and apologising for what seemed would be a lack of celebrations this year.
She said: “I know that makes you very sad but you see right now we are trying to beat this horrible virus.
“That means we have to stay away from people who are not part of the people we live with in our own house. So just for a wee bit longer you can’t have your friends over.
“I hope you understand and you’re being a really, really good girl in sticking with that.”
The nursery has been tasking the attendees, who are all children of key workers, with projects to better understand the pandemic.
They have been making scrapbooks which details the definition of the coronavirus, how to wash their hands properly, and what a key worker is.
Ms McDiarmid said: “We are trying to keep things positive because obviously it’s all anyone is talking about just now.
“It’s something that will go down as a huge event in history and it’s important they are encouraged to understand what is happening.”
Her mum Cora Mills, who works at the Air Station in Leuchars, said her daughter was “fuming” when she first found out the party was cancelled.
But she has since responded by blowing a kiss to the camera and saying: “Thank you, Uncle Lee.
“Thank you, Nicola Sturgeon. I won’t have my friends over till you tell us.”
And her reply to nicola ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PcFxXr5FpY
— Leemills (@yes_leemills) May 14, 2020
