AN EIGHT-year-old girl took on the challenge of running 2km a day for a month to ‘help people who don’t have a home.’

Jessica Hemminglsey, from Christchurch, ran 60km in an effort to raise money for the Bournemouth-based charity Hope For Food.

She said: “One night, I was really upset about people that are homeless because they don’t have anywhere to go or any of the stuff that we’ve got.

“So, I decided to run 2km every day in June. I found it really difficult, but I pushed to do my best.

“It really helped that my mum and dad and my sister were cheering me on.”

Jessica mostly ran around Christchurch, however she took part in the Southampton Running Festival, where she got a personal best of 6.52 minutes.

She said: “My favourite run was my third, which I did with all my friends and my dog Baloo.”

The challenge raised more than £500, which was donated to Hope For Food.

Jessica and her mum Laura were invited to visit the charity and donated a parcel.

Jessica said: “The people at Hope For Food were really nice, it was interesting to see they have children’s toys as well as food.”

Laura added: “We are super proud of Jessica. She is very thoughtful, and always felt things quite deeply.

“But it was completely her idea. I am not really sure where she got it from. Maybe she saw a homeless person when we were out in Bournemouth or Christchurch.

“Next thing she decided she wanted to do this.”

Jessica attends Mudeford Junior School, which Laura said was ‘really supportive’ of her fundraising efforts.

The school has also put up a picture of Jessica, celebrating her achievement.

The family has also received the news Jessica came first in the Christchurch Carnival Shining Star Award.

This accolade celebrates “moments of courage, creativity, sportsmanship, and community spirit among young citizens”.

Jessica, alongside the two other finalists from different age groups, will be crowned on Friday, August 9.

She will also have the exciting opportunity to press the button which sets off the firework display.

Jessica added: "I would like to do something like this again. Maybe I can help someone else in the world who is struggling."