A SCHOOLGIRL concerned about her elderly neighbours decided to reach out to them – by putting the kettle on.

Nine-year-old Neve Dodds, who loves baking cakes, was worried that elderly people in her village were lonely.

So she threw on her apron, booked the village hall and organised a coffee morning.

Friends and family rallied round to help Neve cook up a feast of sweet treats.

Neve, from Cattistock, decided to use the coffee morning to raise funds for a local charity and scoured the internet before choosing Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF).

Neve’s mum Julia Dodds, said: “Neve told us she wanted to do something for the older people in our village because she was worried some of them were lonely and bored at home without seeing anyone.

“She has been baking since she was tiny and completely threw herself into the coffee morning, baking lots of cakes and also collecting prizes for a raffle. We are so proud of her.”

The event attracted dozens of villagers and raised more than £600 for the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation, which fundraises to provide grants for residents who are facing financial struggles because of cancer.

Grants can pay for patients’ household bills, accommodation costs, transport to and from hospital and much needed short breaks.

Neve said: “I was nervous in the morning before we opened the hall but I needn’t have worried because my mum and my sister Matilda and I put up posters and lots of people came along.

“I love making cakes and it was nice to see people eating them and chatting and having fun.

“We also had a knit and natter and a flower quiz and people gave lots of money when they found out it was helping people who have cancer.”

DCCF member Lorraine Kerridge went along to help at the coffee morning and was bowled over by Neve’s efforts.

She said: “She may be only nine but Neve is a super baker and now she’s a champion of the county’s cancer patients too. We are thrilled to have her support for the charity and hope she will inspire other young people in West Dorset to come forward and fundraise for us too.”

Neve is now planning her next community event.