A BIG-HEARTED 10-year-old who is holding her own coffee morning for Down’s Syndrome Scotland has already raised over £700.

Olivia Martin will welcome friends and family to her home in Barrhead’s Woodside Crescent on Saturday, April 30 for a cuppa and some cake as she tries to raise even more money for the charity.

Her family have witnessed first hand the vital work Down’s Syndrome Scotland carries out as Olivia’s nine-year-old brother Ross is affected by the disorder.

Olivia, who is a pupil at St Mark’s Primary, initially asked if she could shave her head in aid of Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week last month.

Proud mum Amanda followed the advice of her hairdresser and suggested she should hold a different type of fundraising event instead.

That resulted in the idea of hosting a coffee morning and Amanda has been bowled over by the support Olivia has received from the community.

A host of stores have boosted Olivia’s appeal by pledging funds and donating items free of charge as raffle prizes, such as Arnold Clark which handed over a TomTom sat nav system.

Amanda said: “She’s gone around lots of local businesses and she is going to be doing a lucky square and a tombola on the day. The support she has got from family and friends and local shops has been really touching.”

A team of family and friends are ready to help Olivia serve the 60 guests who are expected on the day, including gran Maria Straiton and schoolfriends Katie Baird and Louisa Dunn.

Maria praised her granddaughter for all of her hard work and said: “She’s put her heart and soul into it and she talks non-stop about it.

“In school she helps at everything and she’s helping in the church. She’s something else. I’m just so proud of her.”