A YOUNG fundraiser who helped to raise more than £800 for the acute medical unit at Barnsley Hospital by making and selling loom bands has been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award.

Ella Arnold, who attends The Hill Primary Academy in Thurnscoe, was praised for her NHS-themed loom bands which she sold to raise money for the ward.

Her mum, Lindsay Dolman, 37, said the idea was sparked from her love of loom bands as she enjoyed making them in her spare time.

She said: “She just wanted to do something for those people that are out there saving lives and putting themselves on the frontline.

“The loom bands that she created were rainbow coloured with an NHS logo on them and she managed to raise £800 by selling them.

“We have a lot of family members that are working frontline in hospitals, as well as friends of ours as well, so she thought it would be a lovely idea to raise money for them.”

Lindsay works in a care home and Ella’s grandmother, 59-year-old Angela Dolman, works in the acute medical unit at Barnsley Hospital the ward which the youngster has raised money for.

“I think she was really inspired by this. It’s something she felt quite passionately about with her grandmother working at the unit.

“She’s made me so proud and I know the money was given to a really worthy cause.”

Ella’s fundraising efforts have bagged her a nomination at this year’s Proud of Barnsley awards in the Young Superstar category.

Hearing of the nomination, Lindsay added: “She’s really excited. She didn’t expect any of this but she’s really chuffed.

“She wants to know who has nominated her so she can thank them properly.

“We can’t thank people enough for their support and I’m sure she’ll be doing more fundraising in the future.”