Six-year-old Olivia in Toy Appeal mission

Big-hearted Olivia Kenyon may only be six years old but she has been busy thinking of how she can help children less fortunate than herself.

So Olivia, from Ashton, who likes to donate her old toys to charity, decided to create and decorate Christmas baubles, which she sold to raise money to buy toys for other youngsters.

With the money she earned, she’s been busy buying toys, clothes and food to be donated to different charities and appeals.

In just a fortnight she raised the magnificent sum of £372 after selling 90 of her personalised Christmas decorations.

Olivia donated two bags of food and ten selection boxes to Mossley’s food bank and a bag to Sainsbury’s Christmas campaign, alongside five sacks for the Tameside Toy Appeal at St George’s Church.

Olivia’s proud mother Lauren said: “Olivia wanted to do something to help because she knows there are children struggling and that she’s lucky to have what she does. I am very proud that she’s so thoughtful.

“Weekends and after-school she has spent decorating decorations, the kitchen floor has been covered in them, and I’ve had to stop her to have dinner.

“I’d also like to thank B&M at the Snipe in Ashton, because the manager there gave her 20 per cent off everything and gave us a £10 donation too. 

“Shauna served us on the till, and she sent Olivia to the chocolate aisle to pick out a treat, using her own money to pay for it.”

Olivia’s school are also recognising her achievement, giving her the headteacher’s award for her outstanding contribution to charity, but the six-year-old has already set her sights on next year, and has plans involving snowflakes.