A ‘CARING’ eight-year-old animal lover has been nominated for a Young Champions Award due to her selfless fundraising efforts.

For Isabelle Lauder, fundraising and volunteering is a family affair.

The last year has kept the outdoorsy youngster on her feet - as she embarked on a series of fundraising schemes to tackle Wales’ highest peak in support of a meaningful animal charity.

Reaching 3,560ft at the top of Mount Snowdon isn’t easy, but last August, Isabelle Lauder and her dad, Tom, took it in their stride.

Isabelle’s trek was undertaken for a worthy cause - the Sheffield-based Support Dogs charity - which trains and provides specialist assistance dogs to help autistic children, as well as adults affected by epilepsy or physical disability.

Isabelle, who lives with her parents Tom and Fran and ten-year-old brother, Oliver, in Wombwell - chose to scale Snowdon as part of Support Dogs’ ‘Super Summer Challenge’.

Isabelle’s family are no strangers to being around assistance dogs - as they have been volunteer doggy foster parents for Support Dogs since 2022.

Isabelle’s dad explained that part of her caring attitude stemmed from looking after animals from a young age - with the family always having had pet cats.

He said: “We always encourage her to get involved and she loves it.

“Isabelle has been around animals all of her life and she’s very determined to fundraise for charities - she raised over £700 last year for Support Dogs.

“She loves being outdoors, she doesn’t like just being sat at home.

“She is determined, inquisitive and kind - I’m very proud of her, she’s representing our family and we’re glad that she’s getting out there.

“There will probably be more fundraising to come this year, she wants to do the Yorkshire Three Peaks.”

Isabelle’s mum, Fran, added: “Now Isabelle is a bit older, she understands the importance of a support dog more.

“There are children at school that are different to her and Isabelle is understanding of the extra challenges they face.

“She’s also been to the charity’s graduation ceremonies.

“We always ask the kids if they want us to look after another assistance dog.

“We never force them, because as nice as it is to have the dogs and they know they’re going to do something good, it can be sad to say bye to them.

“We wouldn’t be able to have a dog full-time, but as the dogs are in training at Support Dogs’ centre all day, it’s perfect for us.

“I’m so proud of Isabelle - she’s a member of Darfield Scouts, she’s used to being in all weathers and camps with them - so she’s quite resilient.”