Croydon author, 11, donates profits to charity

Sarah Kittoe and her new book, Ama and the Lost Key

An 11-year-old author from south London has pledged to give all the proceeds from her latest book to homeless charities.

Sarah Kittoe, from Croydon, has just released her fourth book, Ama and the Lost Key.

The young author sad: "It makes me feel good when I donate all of the money."

She said her books had already helped fund the renovation of a library in Ghana.

Sarah told the BBC her love for writing was sparked during the Covid lockdowns when she was reading "a lot".

But she said she did not identify with the characters in the books.

"I didn't see lots of people like me," she said.

"I decided to put my picture in my own books and write a story of my own."

Since writing the books, she has heard from other young authors inspired by her achievements.

Sarah said the proceeds from her fourth book were going to Centrepoint and the Wednesday Club at the West Croydon Methodist Church, both of which support the homeless.

Sarah has also used proceeds from her book sales to support the renovation of a library at a school in Tema, Ghana.

The schoolgirl said her generous nature was due to being raised in a very charitable home.

She explained how the family saved money throughout the year and, rather than buying Christmas presents, donated it to charity.

Sarah with the mayor of Redbridge, Jyotsna Islam

Sarah's father Albert said he was very proud of his daughter as she worked to "make a difference".

He said the family, including Sarah's mother and younger sister, supported her in "every endeavour".