Mia Rose Barker turned ten this month, but it is the animals at the Bermuda Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals who will receive the gifts.

This year, Mia decided that rather than receiving presents she would raise money for the charity. Speaking to The Royal Gazette yesterday, as she was given a tour of the charity, she said: “I like dogs a lot and I had already got a lot of presents for Christmas so I didn’t really need loads of stuff.”

Mia asked all of her friends who attended her birthday party to bring a donation for the charity rather than a gift, and at the end of the day she had raised a total of $400.

SPCA shelter chairman Michelle Lawrence thanked Mia for the generous donation, saying: “We are always very excited to have this happen.

“The money is, of course, wonderful. There is a lot of work to be done around here and every little bit helps enormously.

“Her donation is very generous and we appreciate it, but what really impresses us the most is that there was a child who could have loads of birthday presents, but instead puts the welfare of animals above her own wants.

“It’s always great to see a child who cares about animals the same way we do.”

Mia said she was happy to be able to help the charity, adding that she was excited to hear about their plans to open a dog park on their property.

“That sounds really big and fun,” she said.