A young girl from Lisburn has handed over her money box to help kids in need this Christmas.
Niamh Braithwaite, 6, donated her £27 savings to a charity drive being run by Ford FC and Total Football Academy.
The campaign has so far raised over £6,000 in cash donations, toys and vouchers to be used in various shops.
Ford FC first team coach Shay Kennedy says they have been overwhelmed by the response of the local public, not least the generosity of big-hearted Niamh.
"We were doing a toy drop last Sunday and it was pouring down. Niamh arrived down with her money box and handed it to us," Shay said.
"It broke my heart. It sat on my mantlepiece for two days, I couldn't open it. There was £27 in it, and for a wee girl to do that was just fantastic.
"For someone so young to think that way, wanting to help other kids, is marvellous. And she is a credit to her family.
"Thinks like that make it all worthwhile.
"Also some of the feedback we have received, about how much of a difference the vouchers and toys will make to these families."
The Christmas campaign was launched as a partnership between Ford FC and Total Football Academy earlier this month.
Some od the donations have also helped the homeless community.
"I spoke to Gerard Mallon at Total Football Academy and asked if he wanted to join up in a charity initiative, and things spiralled from there," Shay added.
"Gerard and I, in association with Teams Belfast, Emerge and Men of Aspirations, joined up to get the message out there and see what we could bring in.
"Things started off quite slowly but then we got videos done from people like Northern Ireland footballer Ryan McLaughlin, boxer Tommy McCarthy and some Irish League lads, and things took off after that.
"Within a matter days we had raised over £3,000 and we received a load of toys and gifts.
"We also received £1,000 worth of vouchers for places like Tesco and Primark, so people can buy clothes for their kids.
"We have been distributing some of the vouchers to food banks in Belfast and other groups who need them."
Shay added: "On top of helping kids and families, we have also given some vouchers to homeless charities. Things like blankets and clothing.
"Everything we have received in donations, toys and vouchers has gone to very worthy causes and people who deserve it this Christmas."
