Most nine-year-olds spend the week before Christmas finalising their wishlists but Libby Pearson is on a mission to help the homeless.

The Gordon Academy pupil launched a campaign to collect as many sleeping bags and warm winter clothes for rough sleepers as she could after hearing about their plight on the radio.

Libby, of Palmerston Road, Chatham, spoke to her teacher at school and wrote to three supermarkets in the hope they would be able to donate clothing to help keep the homeless warm this Christmas.

Only Asda replied, to say that it was already helping the homeless.

Libby, who has two younger brothers, said: “I heard on the radio that a group of people who were helping the homeless had been told to stop.

“That made me really angry as they have homes and the people they were helping didn’t.

“I wanted to help them. My teacher wrote a note on the board at school asking people if they could bring some things in.

“We’ve been collecting toiletries so that people have stuff to wash with in the shelters.”

So far Libby has collected more than 10 black bags full of donations including hats and scarves, sleeping bags, toiletries and warm clothing.

Her parents Lisa and Russell said they were very proud of her.

Mrs Pearson said: “Libby just wants to help the homeless stay warm this winter. Myself and Libby’s dad are so proud of our daughter for feeling so strongly and wanting to make a difference.

“Most nine-year-olds are looking forward to Christmas and although Libby is, she is also on a mission to help the homeless and make a difference.

“She even had a donation at the weekend from a charity shop in Bexleyheath where my parents live. They gave her two sleeping bags even though they are a charity themselves.

“We are hoping this story will help others donate.”

The family are planning on giving the donations to Medway Help for Homeless.

As well as helping the homeless, Libby is hoping Father Christmas will bring her furniture for her dolls’ house.