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Every December six-year-old Lainie-Mae Madeley, from Gleadless, sorts through her toys and sends all those that are unused to charity to help bring joy to other less fortunate children at Christmas.

But after learning that many parents would be unable to buy Christmas presents for their children this year due to the effects of Covid-19, the kind-hearted schoolgirl decided to go that extra mile to help out.

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Lainie-Mae Madeley, six, and her one-year-old sister Florence hand made Christmas cards to raise money to buy presents for a Salvation Army appeal

So with the help of her sister Florence, aged one, she decided to make Christmas cards and use all the proceeds to buy presents for The Salvation Army’s Christmas Present Appeal.

The girls’ mum, Emma Madeley, said: “Lainie-Mae has always been conscious about homeless people and is quite inquisitive when it comes to things like that.

"While the news was on one night discussing Covid and furlough, it was mentioned that some people will become unemployed before christmas. Lainie-Mae was asking us what that would mean.

“I said unfortunately some children aren’t as lucky as you are and they might not even get one present this year and that really got to her so that’s when she decided to make Christmas cards.”

Lainie-Mae and Florence Madeley used finger paints to create a festive design on their charity Christmas cards

After posting on social media to explain what her daughters were doing, Emma says the orders began to pile in.

Both girls then spent hours making the cards – using finger paints to create a festive design of either a Christmas tree, reindeer, or holly berries on each one.

Altogether they sold around 90 cards and raised a total of £350, which Lainie-Mae then used to buy 174 Christmas presents for other children, with a further 30 presents donated by family and friends.

Lainie-Mae and Florence then made the trip to The Salvation Army, on Psalter Lane, to drop the presents off where they were gratefully received.

Lainie-Mae Madeley spent three hours picking out Christmas presents for other children, all of which were bought with money raised through the sales of her Christmas cards

The girls’ parents, Emma and Robert, added: “We are so proud of them, they have such kind hearts and always try to help others, especially in times like this.”

It is hoped that Lainie-Mae can continue her charity work in 2021 with the help of her classmates who have been inspired by her this year.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

Sheffield sisters raise over £300 selling handmade Christmas cards to help children’s present appeal

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.