A young minibike racer from Co Down has used her prize money from winning an award to support a Belfast homeless charity.
Ella Mosgrove, 9, from Newtownards has been minibike racing for just under a year after starting the sport in January after discovering her talent on a bike.
Taking part in her first season of the Irish Minibike Championship this year, she exceeded her own expectations to finish 8th overall out of a league of 19 and was awarded the most improved female rider over the course of the season.
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However, instead of using the £100 she received from the award to buy something for herself, the caring young girl spent it on hats, scarves and gloves which she donated to Belfast Homeless Services in order to help those who are in need.
Speaking to Belfast Live, her dad Darryl said that he is very proud of his daughter for her kind gesture and that she has worried about the homeless and those living on the street for a number of years and used the opportunity to provide some support.
He said: "Ella is a very kind and caring young girl and has often expressed her worries about those who are living on the street or homeless and ways people can help them.
"After a successful debut season at the Irish Minibike Championship, she was named the Most Improved Female Rider which came with £100 in prize money. Instead of using that money for herself, Ella told us that she wanted to get hats, gloves and scarves in order to help those in need.
"We are just so proud of how thoughtful she has been and her desire to help others."
Ella said: "It is sad to think that there are people with no shelter, warmth or food and I wanted to try and do something to help people over during the winter."
Ella started minibike racing shortly after getting her first bike in Christmas last year and has since fallen in love with the sport.
Darryl said that over the course of the year since her first race in April she has gone from strength to strength and believes that will only continue in the years ahead.
He said: "I have always had an interest in motor racing but we would have never been actively involved in sports like this ourselves.
"But after Ella had a go on her bike she just fell in love with it and she has really enjoyed going all over Ireland this year to race against others.
"The progress she has made in less than a year has been amazing and she is determined to do even better next year."
If you would like more information about Ella and her budding racing career please visit her Facebook page.
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