A NINE-year-old girl made a huge sacrifice for charity after turning down the chance of birthday presents and instead requesting her friends bring donations to her party. Maisie Dean s selfless act helped raise £270 for Children in Distress. The Upwood Pr

A NINE-year-old girl made a huge sacrifice for charity after turning down the chance of birthday presents and instead requesting her friends bring donations to her party.

Maisie Dean's selfless act helped raise £270 for Children in Distress.

The Upwood Primary School pupil, who lives in Church End, Woodwalton, celebrated her birthday on August 8.

She told The Hunts Post she wanted to help children less fortunate than her: "I like helping other people and I wanted to help the children in Romania."

Maisie was left so touched by the plight of the orphans in Romania, that she started a scrapbook documenting their struggle and has a money box to collect casg for them.

So far this month she has raised £381, including the money raised at her birthday party.

Maisie's mum, Angie Dean, said: "Obviously, I think she is amazing and I hope her story inspires other young people to help others.

"She is a very caring child and she told me she had enough toys and instead of presents wanted to do something to help other children.

"She was really excited to count all the money she had raised at the end of the party and she didn't go without as she still received presents from her close friends and family."

The youngster discovered the Children in Distress charity through family friend, Ruth Nickerson, who had been raising money on its behalf for several years.

Mrs Dean added: "Maisie was fascinated when Ruth told her about the orphans in Romania, she said she wanted to help. She is very much a child who enjoys caring for other people."

Maisie's oldest brother Tommy, 19, also raised money for Children in Distress on his ninth birthday.

The charity works with disadvantaged and poor children and their families in Eastern Europe. Over the last 15 years, the charity has cared for children in Albania, Belarus, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Romania. It cares for orphans and helps rescue children from prostitution, abuse and drugs.

INFORMATION: For more information on the Children in Distress charity visit www.childrenindistress.org