AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD girl from Great Harwood is looking to spread some festive joy by giving presents to less fortunate kids in East Lancashire.

Pippa Birtwell launched Pippa’s Presents group on Facebook, with more than 530 members, and she has raised money from raffles and by donations from organisations.

The St John’s CE Primary School pupil was also surprised yesterday when she featured on children’s television programme Milkshake! to receive a ‘kindness award’.

Proud mum Nat Curwen said: “It started in October and she was a bit sad and wanted to make up a list for people who were less fortunate than her. We wanted to buy presents for other children.

“More and more people have been coming on board and she had a donation of £750 from the Fairy Godmothers, who are a group on Facebook and they donate to different causes, and through October they helped us to go on a shopping trip for the kids.

“Then the Laurence Hotel in Padiham donated a night away which was worth £150 for the raffle.

“We are going to be supporting 10 families this Christmas who are nominated by the community.”

Pippa will be dressing up in a Santa outfit and will be delivering presents next month.

Nat said: “We want to do it in December once we come out of lockdown and it will mean we can enjoy Christmas.

“It is amazing and we never expected it to take off as much as it did.

“We are so proud of her and she is such a good girl, wanting to help others.

“She just wants people to smile this Christmas and take the pressure off families.”

Nat added: “She wants to continue and do it every year.

n To find out more, search for Pippa’s Presents on Facebook.