A NINE-YEAR-OLD who wanted to help her neighbours raise money for their Shopmobility, has sold some of her best-loved toys.

Sophie Rogers, who lives near Ron and Jo Foreman, who both use mobility scooters, first learned about their quest to raise money for the local Shopmobility in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool, when she overheard Mr Foreman telling her mother about it.

Mr Foreman is on the executive committee of Hartlepool's Access Group, which runs Shopmobility and is trying to raise £45,000 so they can extend the service.

This will increase the availability of the unit's equipment and enable it to be recharged on site for the first time.

The additional funding will also allow the unit, which provides manual and powered wheelchairs and scooters for shoppers, to increase its opening hours by a further two hours a day.

Sophie, a pupil at West Park Primary School, Hartlepool, sorted out a selection of her favourite toys and gave them to Mr and Mrs Foreman, who took them to a craft fair at The Headland and sold them for more than £40.

Mr Foreman said: "I am delighted by Sophie's generosity. She is a lovely girl with a kind heart."

Sophie said: "I love raising money for charity and have helped out with the Shoebox Appeal as well. I know how hard Mr and Mrs Foreman have been working to raise money for Shopmobility and I wanted to help."