Amy Moloney already runs a charity in her spare time

Kindhearted teenager Amy Moloney is calling on Prestonians to help her to help the homeless in the city this Christmas.

The 16-year-old has started a fundraising appeal to deliver boxes full of food, water, clothing and more to those who sleep rough in Preston.

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It’s the second year Amy has run the appeal and this year she wants to be able to help more people in the city and possibly further afield.

She said: “Last year I did it on my own. I made up the boxes, bought the presents, decorated the boxes and wrote them all a Christmas card.

“I took the boxes with my Mother into Preston and we gave them a local church who then passed them onto homeless people who came in on Christmas Day.

“It made me feel amazing. On Christmas Day when I was opening my presents I felt humbled to know that someone who has nothing would hopefully feel happy opening something from me.”

This isn’t the first generous act for Amy, who attends Runshaw College, after she set up a charity in response to being bullied during the early years of secondary school.

Don’t Back Down to Bullying has been set up and runs through social media to help those struggling with depression, bullying and anxiety.

Amy’s has ideas to launch branded clothing for her charity

Amy says she has helped stop youngsters self-harming and referred them for help when they’ve had suicidal thoughts.

The selfless teen has also raised hundreds of pounds for research into Parkinson’s Disease, after her father was diagnosed with the illness.

Amy, left, with her father and sister during a charity walk

She hopes the Christmas campaign for the homeless can expand from Preston this year to go across the North West.

Related: How Preston student’s homeless sleepout has captured the nation’s attention

She said: “If you are able to spare any money, any money whatsoever, then please do. I can assure you that you will feel amazing knowing that you have given someone a present of a lifetime. I know that if your only present on Christmas Day was a bottle of water, some of you would be pretty annoyed right?”

“Well a bottle of water to a homeless person would literally help them so so so much. For me, the smile on their face opening their box of presents would make all of the effort worth it.”

Amy has ideas to video the whole process of making up the boxes and then handing them out round Preston, so those donating can be sure the money has been put to good use.

She is also approaching the Foxton Centre for advice on the best items to put within the boxes.

How to donate

You can donate to Amy’s Christmas campaign via her Gofundme page, where she has an initial target of £100.

Will you be donating? Are you doing anything for charity this Christmas? Let us know in the comments below