Montrose girl donates birthday cash to wildlife organisations

An Angus girl has raised money for her two favourite charities by asking for donations instead of birthday gifts.

Brooke Clifton celebrated her eighth birthday in style with a party at her Montrose home, and raised £200 which will be split between the Whale and Dolphin Conservation and The Shark Trust charities.

Mum Kim said: “Brooke has a fascination with whales, dolphins and sharks, and she loves learning about them via the charity websites, but also enjoys watching documentaries, especially if it involves great white sharks.

“We had posters of orcas, dolphins and sharks around the house and lots of decorations to make it have an underwater feel.

“We are very proud of Brooke for donating all of her money to these charities, as it is something that is very close to her heart, and she wants to help the conservation of these beautiful mammals.”

She said Brooke was already thinking up ideas about how to raise more money to help the two charities.

“Her dream would be to see orcas and great whites in the wild so hopefully she can fulfil this dream in the future,” she added.

“She loves walking out to the lighthouse and takes her binoculars, just in case we see any dolphins or porpoises.”

Kim also has an interest in wildlife and aims to share her enthusiasm in her work as an author, writing under the pen name of Brooke Summer.

Her first book, published last year, called Ruby and Friends, tells the story of a rabbit who lives in an enchanted forest called Whispering Woods.

Kim carried out a programme of visits to local schools and read the book to children in nursery classes, as well as taking part in question and answer sessions.