Seven-year-old raises money for local food bank this summer

Ana Bhegani has given up much of her summer holiday so far supporting the campaign for a new temporary food bank which opens today, August 1.

Alongside gathering support at her school and dance class, she also went around asking people to help her collect the items, and many locals who had seen the post in the Darwen Community Helpers Facebook group joined her.

Ana celebrates her success at the Darwen Community Helpers (Image: Nadia Ashfaq)

She even used her own pocket money to purchase items and received large donations from neighbours and friends.

The Darwen resident has worked with the charity for two years and has helped in several campaigns.

Ana’s mum Nadia said: “We are extremely proud. She is a talented girl, but we like to highlight to her the importance of staying humble and helping people.

“She really has spread her kindness everywhere in Darwen.

"Receiving several comments from local people also made Nadia incredibly proud with one person reaching out stating 'kids like this give me hope for the future'."

Nadia Ashfaq added: “Her being an inspiration is lovely to hear about your small child because we want to be big on kindness and we want her to stay like that.”

Darwen Community Helpers is a group which focuses on giving back and making a positive impact in its communities.

She has collected over 200 items for the charity (Image: Nadia Ashfaq)

Having used the facilities provided by the Darwen Community Helpers in the past, including Christmas parties and a Jubilee event, the Sudell Primary School pupil was keen to get involved.

She reached out to Samantha Jane Nye, who runs the charity and has been volunteering ever since.

The team are hoping to open a new food bank on August 1 to help those in temporary difficulty who may not meet the criteria for support elsewhere.