Eight-year-old Belford girl raises funds for the homeless from sale of her homemade Christmas cards

Rosie Parkin-Ross was inspired to help out after being shocked to see so many people sleeping on the streets on a trip to Edinburgh on her eighth birthday in February.

She went to Edinburgh Playhouse to watch The Lion King and was given £5 to spend on treats but she decided to buy a sandwich for one of the homeless people. Later that evening she insisted on her family buying a hot drink for another homeless person.

“She said if she had £1,000 she would put them all in a hotel for the night,” said her mum, Philipa.

She had bought Rosie some paints and a sketch book as she loves to do art.

Rosie decided to paint and sell Christmas cards and donate the money she raised to help the homeless.

Amazingly she raised £70 from friends, family and people all over Northumberland.

"We were blown away by the generosity of others and the support for her work was amazing,” said Philipa.

"She feels like a famous artist and even had to sign some of her cards.”

They donated £40 to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) which helps people from the military who may find themselves on the streets.

A further £20 worth of essentials such as thermal socks, hats, gloves and flasks were donated to the Salmon Inn (Belford) collection which went to help the homeless in Newcastle.

The final £10 went to the Feed a Friend for a Fiver charity in the North East which provided two hot meals to somebody in need.

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