A YOUNG Pembrokeshire schoolgirl, who has raised more than £160,000 for Withybush hospital, has received a special recognition from the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Theresa May has recognised seven-year-old Pembroke Dock Community School pupil Elly Neville, as the 940th winner of the Points of Light award.

The Points of Light awards recognise outstanding individual volunteers, people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.

Elly has raised more than £166,000 for cancer patients on the same ward where her dad, Lyn, was successfully treated.

Elly was born against all odds just four years after her dad Lyn’s bone marrow transplant and blood cancer treatment at Withybush Hospital.

After winning a competition at her school to design a collage of the Pembrokeshire flag, Elly and her family embarked on a fundraising campaign for Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital.

Elly’s Flag Appeal started its campaign in April 2015.

Elly is no stranger to high profile support, having recently received a signed photo and letter from none other than His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

In a personal letter to Elly, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “Your fundraising efforts are having such a positive impact on cancer patients and their relatives. You should be enormously proud of having raised so much money for Withybush Hospital at such a young age.”

Simon Hart, MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, said: “It’s wonderful that Elly’s massive fundraising effort for Withybush has been acknowledged in this way, she is a always a ray of sunshine herself so it’s so appropriate that she has won a Point of Light award.”

Elly said: “Thank you for giving me this award. I really enjoy trying to help people on Ward 10 who are in hospital and poorly like my dad was.”

Funds may be donated to Elly’s appeal at justgiving.com/fundraising/ward10flag