A CARING duo of volunteers have banded together to support Barnsley Hospital Charity.

Imogen Bladon and Mollie Ellis teamed up to brainstorm ideas to help out poorly children in the hospital, creating an inventive fundraising drive.

The girls’ efforts have been recognised, leading to them receiving a well-deserved Young Champions nomination.

Fundraising runs in the family for Imogen, 18, who was inspired to support the hospital by her mum, who shares her passion for helping others.

As a youngster, Imogen fondly remembers taking up second-hand toys and games to the hospital with her mum.

Imogen proposed the idea of a second-hand toy drive to her school friend, Mollie, who was eager to help out.

Mollie, 18, who is a wellbeing ambassador at Penistone Grammar School at post-16 level, is used to volunteering her time and compassion to support her peers.

While the girls met at school, their fundraising journey has brought them closer than ever by working together to make a difference.

Olivia challenged herself to take care of the fundraising project’s communications, contacting the hospital to arrange meet-ups with key charity figures.

Imogen created a poster to spread awareness of their mission, with the girls presenting their ideas in a school assembly asking their schoolmates to bring in donations to support the charity.

Overwhelmed and grateful with the volume of donations, the girls co-ordinated a meet-up to present their donations to the charity.

Imogen and Mollie admitted they were forced to come in separate cars as their collection for the charity was ‘too much to fit in one car’.

The duo met up with the hospital’s charity development manager, Jane Mills, where they discussed the impact that their donations would have.

Unfortunately, the girls were unable to visit the children’s ward to see the impact of their donations first-hand.

However, their kindness undoubtedly made a positive impact on the lives and wellbeing of poorly children throughout their time in hospital.

Mollie said: “I started training as a wellbeing ambassador in lower school and I enjoyed supporting my peers.

“It’s also nice being able to help out friends when they are struggling.

“Imogen and I met through wellbeing ambassadors, but we became friends because we were studying similar subjects.

“The main skills I’ve picked up during our fundraising journey and my time as a wellbeing ambassador are confidence and creating a comfortable environment for others to talk.

“I hope to work at Barnsley Hospital as a healthcare assistant in the future.

Imogen added: “It meant a lot to me to support the hospital.

“Living in Gawber is very different to Penistone, where I go to school.

“It was nice to encourage my peers to support Barnsley.”