BIRTHDAYS are usually for receiving presents but a selfless teenager made it her mission to help others by handing over more than 500 Christmas gifts to patients at Barnsley Hospital last week on what was her 13th birthday.

Unlike most teenagers her age, Hollie Kyle didn’t spend her big day wading through her own presents and instead decided she wanted to help others.

She was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis aged eight, having since undergone lots of tests, operations and changes in medication.

Arthritis, whilst most commonly associated with older people, can affect children too, albeit in rare cases.

Most types of childhood arthritis are known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Unfortunately, there is no cure, even though some children with arthritis accomplish permanent remission, meaning the condition is no longer active - however, physical damage caused to the joint will remain.

Despite Hollie’s struggles with arthritis, she still makes the most out of her childhood, with her positive attitude extending to her noble charitable pursuits.

Hollie’s desire to give back began after she received treatment for her arthritis at Sheffield Children’s Hospital for more than a year.

A few years ago, she established Hollie’s Gift Appeal to collect gifts and money for unwell children.

In her first year of collecting she handed over more than 300 presents to children who were forced to spend their Christmas in the hospital and her generosity caught the eye of Britain’s most famous double act - Ant and Dec.

She appeared on ITV’s Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway where she won her family an all-inclusive holiday.

Last year, she donated around 500 gifts and devoted her time to making keyrings and bracelets to raise money for juvenile arthritis charities.

The generous youngster’s achievements made waves, with Barnsley FC players assisting her in handing out the numerous gifts.

And this year she’s gone one bigger.

Her mum Laura told the Chronicle: “Thursday was her birthday and she’s handing out the presents.

“We’ve managed to get more than 500 presents which absolutely smashed our target.

“Every year it seems to get bigger and bigger.”

Hollie admitted her excitement about handing over the gifts to those in need this festive period and her mum says she’s incredibly proud of her daughter.

“I’m so proud of her and she says she’s proud of me for helping as well,” she added.

“If we can just make one extra person smile over Christmas by doing this then it’ll all be worth it.

“It’s about Christmas spirit.

“We want people to know that someone cares for them.”

It’s been a busy year for Hollie already.

She was announced as a finalist for the Young Conqueror for the Young Champions Awards evening, hosted by television presenter Sam Nixon, which she later won.

Then, last month, she was one of the winners in the Triumph Over Adversity category at the Proud of Barnsley awards.

And her selfless acts haven’t gone unnoticed by those at the football club who helped her hand over the presents last Thursday afternoon.

Jonathan Bland said: “It was brilliant to see Hollie donate the gifts to the patients of Barnsley Hospital, especially on her birthday and at an important time of year.”

And at Saturday’s game against Leyton Orient Hollie helped to raisea further £2,000 to help others.

Her mum has thanked all the local people and businesses who supported her during her fundraising journey.