A BIG-HEARTED schoolgirl from Burnham visited 10 Downing Street after the Prime Minister thanked her for supporting thousands of other youngsters at Christmas.
Darcey Strutt, ten, received a Points of Light award from Rishi Sunak in recognition of her annual Christmas appeal, which has seen her collect thousands of gifts to be donated to charities over the last six years.
The initiative started when Darcey was just four after visiting Burnham Carnival, where the curious youngster asked her mum why people were collecting donations for charity.
Last year alone, she collected 600 presents, and she hopes for this year’s appeal to be the biggest to date.
The Burnham Primary School pupil was excited to be invited to Downing Street’s festive fair and to exchange waves with Mr Sunak.
She said: “When I found out that I had been chosen for this award it took me a minute or two to process as I was so shocked.”
Mum Jade Strutt is extremely proud of her kind daughter.
“Every year I ask her if she wants to do it again and she always says yes,” she said.
“She has always been a kind, caring girl who will always put the needs of others before herself.”
The family’s kitchen is already full to the brim of presents which will be donated to charity, and this year Darcey is also asking for cash donations so people who aren’t able to donate physical gifts can get involved.
“We aimed to raise £150 but we’ve raised £630 so far,” said Jade.
Darcey will now meet her MP, Sir John Whittingdale, who will present her with a certificate to mark her achievement.
The Maldon MP said: “I warmly congratulate Darcy on her award which is hugely deserved recognition of her fantastic efforts to raise money for children’s charities.
“I hope that the award will be an early Christmas present for her and I look forward to presenting her with her certificate soon.”
Downing Street’s daily Points of Light Award was introduced by then PM David Cameron in 2014 and recognises outstanding individual volunteers who are making a difference in their community.
To support Darcey's fundraising, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/darceyschristmaspresentappeal.
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