Barrow girl gives year's pocket money to children's Christmas charity

Lara-May said she had been saving her pennies to donate to other children

A six-year-old girl saved a year's worth of her pocket money to buy Christmas presents for other children.

Lara-May, from Barrow-in-Furness, banked "every penny" given to her by family so she could spend £300 on toys for children living in poverty.

Lara-May said she found it "very sad" when learning about other families' situations at Christmas.

The charity which will send the presents to families in need described her kindness as a "blessing".

Lara-May's mum, Shelley, said her daughter had seen an advert about children not receiving Christmas presents which "made her quite upset".

"She saved her pocket money all year and it wasn't until last week she actually told us what it was for," Shelley said.

"I'm so proud of her," she added.

Shelley said she and her daughter often help out at the community kitchen during the festive season so "Lara-May understands more about people who can't afford things".

The six-year-old explained: "I've been saving pennies and now I have £300 to spend on other people.

"It's very sad, because some people don't get any presents and it's not fair on them," she added.

The trolley of toys, which include a pack of 10 dolls and Hot Wheels games, were bought in the supermarket Morrisons, which hosts the appeal.

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Project John supports young people in Barrow and will distribute Lara-May's gifts.

The charity's officer, Nicola Kell, said the donation was "so heart warming".

"She's just an absolute angel.

''We're seeing more and more poverty so [there's] massive need every year.

"Our ethos is no child should go without at Christmas, so this is a blessing," Ms Kell added.