GENEROUS Phoebe Greening was so moved by seeing the plight of children in Africa that she plans to give away her Christmas presents.

The eight-year-old made the decision after seeing an advert for Save the Children on TV.

There and then she decided she wanted to act to help make a difference.

Phoebe said: “I was watching the TV with my mum and then the advert played.

“It was about the children in Africa who are poor.

“It made me feel very sad because they haven’t got food or clean water.

“I want to give these people some food and water and to give up Christmas because I’d rather they got my presents and be happy.”

Mum Marsha Greening, 47, of Holbein Court in Grange Park, told the Adver it was up to Phoebe if she wanted to give them away. “Phoebe was just crying and she was saying how she wanted to help them and give our food and everything we could to them.

“She didn’t want to have Christmas and she wants them to have her presents.

“She was asking me why Santa isn’t helping them because she thought he went to see everyone. It’s hard explaining why that is because you still want your child to believe in those things.

“But she wants to do something to feel like she has helped she only wants to help people who are less fortunate.

“Phoebe has got a heart of gold she cries at a lot of things. I don’t know where it has all come from I think she is getting older now and she understands more.”

Phoebe goes to Tregoze Primary School at Sleaford Close, Lydiard, and told her friends what she was planning .

She said: “They thought it was a good idea.

“For now we are going to sell some of my things that we don’t use to raise money to donate.

“I’ll be setting up a table and I want to get rid of some of my jumpers, coats and whatever else I can find. I’m very happy to do it because I’m helping them and I’m giving it all up for them so they can be happy.”

Marsha said: “I think now she’s older she takes more of an interest and it’s affecting her more. She’s seeing what’s really going on in the world and wants to do something about it.

“I’m very proud of her. She has such a lovely, beautiful, kind heart.”

Marsha and Phoebe haven’t decided yet where they want to donate the money that they raise.

They are also taking part in a Samaritans shoebox scheme where they fill it with food, toiletries and toys which is then sent off to children in underdeveloped countries for Christmas.