A NINE-YEAR-OLD from Test Valley is on a mission to help children in need.

Elle Holdaway, who attends Halterworth Primary School in Romsey, has donated bags of arts and crafts to a charity that helps children who are victims of domestic abuse, Yellow Door.

This comes after the community-spirited girl was crowned the winner in the BBC's Young Achiever category as part of the BBC Radio Solent Community Heroes Awards.

She was praised for feeding homeless people every Sunday.

Elle, who lives in Chilworth, donated the first bags of presents to the chief executive officer of Yellow Door, Nikki King, on Friday, June 4.

She also revealed she is on another mission to collect more presents for children who need help.

Elle said: "I have donated some of the presents I received for my birthday and Christmas and collected some stuff from school friends.

"There are children who need it more than I do. I hope that the children will like the colouring books, pens and books that I have collected and they will make them a little bit happier.

"It makes me sad to know there are children who are hurt and sad. I’m on another mission to collect more and more for the children.”

Ms King explained how Elle's gifts will be put to use at Yellow Door.

She said: "We would like to say a huge thank you to Elle for the arts and craft materials she has kindly collected and donated.

"They will be used within our art therapy sessions to help engage the children, who access our services, and we will create craft parcels for the children to use at home.

“We are very grateful to Elle for being so thoughtful. Families need our help more than ever since the lockdown.

"We are a charity and need funds to help people who are scared and want a bright new future. If anyone would like to help us by making a donation or fundraising, please log on to https://yellowdoor.org.uk/get-involved/.”

The chief executive officer added: “Yellow Door is here for anyone who has been affected by domestic abuse or if they have had an unwanted sexual experience. I urge if anyone who is hurting you or making you feel unsafe please call 999.”