A KIND-hearted schoolgirl has collected a bin bag's worth of clothes for those in need which she will give out at Christmas. 

Lara-May Olliver, seven, spends her pocket money on clothes every week and aims to keep doing so until the end of the year. 

Lara-May, a student at St George's School in Barrow, made a name for herself last Christmas when she saved up to buy toys for children from less well-off families. 

The Mail: Lara-May received praise for the work she did buying other children presents for ChristmasLara-May received praise for the work she did buying other children presents for Christmas (Image: Shelley Foward)

The charity champion was invited to be a mascot for Barrow AFC after she spent £300 on a shopping trip around Morrisons on toys for other children. The supermarket matched the donation and then the toys were given out by the Salvation Army. 

Her mum Shelley Foward said: "She doesn't really use pocket money. She wanted to donate clothes - she likes helping people."

The Mail: Lara-May buying gifts for children at Morrisons last yearLara-May buying gifts for children at Morrisons last year (Image: Shelley Foward)

Lara-May said doing good deeds makes her 'happy.' 

When asked why she was doing it, Lara-May said: "Because some people cannot afford clothes. I buy it for them. It makes me feel happy." 

Shelley said she thinks Lara-May can manage to get 'two more big bin bags' worth of clothes before Christmas. 

When asked what kind of clothes she buys, Lara-May said: "Boys clothes, girls clothes, babies clothes, different sizes, big clothes, some uniforms, t-shirts and stuff." 

Lara-May usually buys her clothes from Asda or Morrisons. She started doing this after seeing a homeless person for the first time. 

"I want to help people," she said. "I thought everyone had a home. When I saw her I felt really sad. I bought some food for her." 

Lara-May also started saving money to buy toys for other children last year because she found out that not everyone receives presents for Christmas. 

Lara-May's friends at school have been 'very happy' for her and she received an award from the headteacher recognising the work that she does for her community. 

Last November, she was invited to join Barrow AFC players as a mascot before a game against Crawley Town.  

In March 2023, Department for Work and Pensions figures revealed that 1,463 children were living in absolute poverty in Barrow. 

This means that their family's income was lower than 60 per cent of the median income established in 2010-11, adjusted for inflation.