A KIND-HEARTED Stourbridge schoolgirl encouraged neighbours to dig deep and help her make an "incredible" donation to the town's Foodbank to help people in crisis.

Gig Mill Primary School Lettie Hale sent letters out to residents in Windsor Road in Norton asking them to join her in collecting for Stourbridge Foodbank and her plea has led to a donation of 80kg of food and 20kg of toiletries to the charity.

Joy Moss, co-ordinator of Stourbridge Foodbank, said: "That's a lot of food to collect, it's incredible. That will feed a lot of people."

What is more incredible is the fact that Lettie, aged nine, has been doing her bit to help Foodbank for the last five years.

Her proud mum Sarah Hale said: "This is the fifth year that she has done it. It's quite lovely how the neighbours are now expecting her to come round and do her bit.

"We've always done Christmas but last year we also did one at the beginning of the summer as an extra."

She said she has always encouraged Lettie and younger brother George, aged six, to have a social conscience but it was Lettie's own idea to support Foodbank after she became aware people were sleeping rough in Stourbridge.

Lettie said: "I saw people on the streets with no food, they were sleeping on the streets and I thought that must not be very nice for them so I decided to help."

Foodbank volunteer Barbara Sykes said: "The fact that young people are aware of supporting the social needs of the community is an enormous credit to their parents and what the schools are doing."

Stourbridge Foodbank fed 1,643 adults and children in need in 2018 - about 35 per cent more than in 2017.

Volunteers have reported being significantly busier since August last year and they believe the rise in people turning to the Foodbank is due to debt, low incomes, a reduction in benefits and the introduction of Universal Credit.

Equally she said the charity has been receiving more donations - adding: "People have become a lot more socially aware and are incredibly willing to give. A lot more families and individuals are giving us food now."

Anyone wishing to make a donation to Stourbridge Foodbank, which operates out of Our Lady and All Saints Church Hall, off New Road (ring road) on Tuesdays and Fridays, can call 01384 395308.

The organisation only gives out emergency food and personal packages to people who have been referred by a partner agency. To find out more go to the charity's website blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk.