A KIND-HEARTED teenager who juggles football and fundraising has taken a unique approach to collecting money for charity.

Leah Walton, 13, first started her fundraising journey upon hearing of a youngster’s tragic battle with cancer.

Jude Mellon-Jameson was just shy of his third birthday when he was diagnosed with the high-risk neuroblastoma that eventually took his life.

The youngster received treatment for the rare type of cancer at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Touched by Jude’s upsetting plight, Leah decided to start collecting funds to allow Jude to get specialised treatment for his neuroblastoma abroad.

Starting out with collection buckets and selling handmade crafts at supermarkets, Leah eventually raised over £16,000 to benefit the Solving Kids’ Cancer charity.

Leah additionally has a longstanding relationship fundraising for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Throughout her journey, the hard-working teenager has had encounters with famous footballers, including members of the Lionesses.

Auctioning signed shirts from players to benefit the charity has contributed to Leah’s total.

Closer to home, Leah has also raised just shy of £1,000 to benefit Penistone Church FC, where she is a member of their under-13s’ black team.

To celebrate the club’s 120th anniversary, one artist parent decorated a lion cub in Penistone colours to celebrate girls’ football - which Leah’s fundraising helped to make happen.

Leah’s dad, Craig, told the Chronicle how he was just as proud of Leah’s first £100 raised as her impressive grand total.

He said: “When Leah first started fundraising she really enjoyed it.

“She wanted to carry on which is why she started selling signed things from footballers.

“She recently also met the boxer, Dalton Smith, who signed some posters for her to sell on.

“I’m just as proud of her first £100, it’s like when a baby take their first few steps.

“She’s showing no signs of stopping soon and we’re so proud of her.”