A SCHOOLGIRL has sacrificed her birthday presents to raise money for a children’s charity.

Erin Ward, nine, asked friends and family attending her birthday party to donate to the Ray of Sunshine charity instead of buying a present.

Erin made the decision after she and fellow pupils of Bradleys Both Community Primary School adopted the charity.

Erin raised £110 and sent Rays of Sunshine a hand-made card congratulating them on their work granting magical wishes to seriously and terminally-ill children.

Barry Rogers, the school head, said Erin had shown empathy, kindness and selflessness in her actions to support an “awe-inspiring” charity.

He added: “I am extremely proud and incredibly impressed that a pupil of such a young age should take such a bold and selfless act.”

Mr Rogers said the children at Bradleys Both have already raised a significant sum of money for the charity and used the charity’s work as a stimulus for teaching and learning.

Fundraising events have included a Christmas present collection, a cake sale, a Sunshine breakfast event and a Sunshine Wish Week where the children’s learning was focused around the charity.