An inspirational young girl who collects hundreds of donations for charity and helps clean up her community has been recognised with an award.
Nine-year-old Amelia-Rose Lings dedicates her spare time to fundraising and has collected more than 260 selection boxes, 100 Easter eggs, and 350 toys for children in care.
“It feels really nice and heartwarming because I get to help loads of other people in our community,” Amelia-Rose said.
“There are people who need food, a home, and money, and if I donate to charity then people get money and food and so I think it’s really kind to donate.”
Amelia-Rose, from Stapleford, also does her bit for the environment by litter picking in her community and helping her local councillor reduce food waste by donating surplus meals to food banks.
After being nominated by her family, Amelia-Rose has been awarded this year’s Inspiring Young Minds Award, which recognises a young person who has done something inspirational and shown incredible resilience or something selfless to help others.
The award forms part of the Live Our Best Life Awards, which was launched by Nottinghamshire Police in 2021 to shine a light on the inspiring work of young people across the county.
Portia Richmond, Amelia-Rose’s mum, said: “Amelia is very caring and community-oriented, she has a big heart. I’m so proud of her and the work that she has done.
“When we go food shopping she always thinks of other people and will buy something out of her own money to donate at supermarket collection points.
“I was really surprised that she won, so I’m just so proud that she has and it’s nice that her hard work is being recognised.”
Amelia-Rose first began competing in charity beauty pageants aged seven, where participants engage in fundraising activities to support a specific cause or charity.
“I started fundraising and litter picking and helping the environment a lot and I really like to help people who are in need, and to donate to charity,” she said.
Amelia-Rose collects various items, such as food, household cleaning supplies, and pet products, and donates them to organisations including Broxtowe Youth Homelessness.
She also bakes and creates handmade bracelets which are sold to fellow pageant participants, with the funds donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, after she lost an uncle to the condition.
Portia added: “I work in adult health and social care, predominantly helping those with brain injuries and learning disabilities.
“Amelia will quite happily join me and interact with that person to try and make their day a little bit better.
“She’s a very confident little girl and she’ll never be afraid to get involved and get stuck in and help somebody, regardless of their age or disability.”
Amelia-Rose said: “It feels really great to win and I feel really happy for it because I didn’t think I was doing a lot of work, but I’m surprised that I’m actually working really hard and doing a lot of it.”
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