WHEN 12-year-old Heather Roberts lost two people to cancer she decided to get fundraising for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The resourceful Bourne-mouth School for Girls pupil organised three separate fundraising events and collected a fantastic £514 for the charity.

She was inspired to do something for the charity, which provides care to more than 31,000 people with terminal cancer and other illnesses, after her friend’s mother lost her battle with the disease. Her swimming teacher also died from cancer.

Heather, whose home is in Ashling Crescent, Charminster, said: “About two years ago my friend’s mum died from cancer and then my swimming teacher, who I was quite close to, died from it too.

“My mum’s friend has also been told she has leukaemia, so I wanted to raise some money.”

The youngster emailed all the stores at Castlepoint shopping centre and received a £25 voucher from Next which was raffled.

She also took part in a 24-hour sponsored silence, which she said was difficult as she couldn’t say a word all day.

And her final fundraising event was a coffee morning at her house where she sold handmade cakes, cookies and pies.

Heather’s mum Claire Hughes said: “She was so upset when her friend lost her mum to breast cancer.

“It just spurred her into action and now she has decided to make it an annual event. We are very proud of her – she is fantastic.”