Animal-loving schoolgirl preparing to climb mountain for charity

Olivia Grannell from Winsford is set to climb Snowdon, or Yr Wyddfa, to raise money for ARC Animals, who rescue abandoned and neglected pets from Macedonia.

The six-year-old Darnhall Primary School pupil decided to take on the challenge after adopting two pups, Daisy and Asana, from the shelter.

Mum Laura, 42, said: “She is a very thoughtful little girl.

“She had a report from school before the summer which said Olivia is very kind, she looks after other children – that’s all you can ask for as a parent.

“Obviously grades are important, but I would rather she is a kind human being.

“Olivia has always been an animal lover, she won’t eat meat, she’s really animal mad."

Olivia and mum Laura walking the dogs (Image: Laura Grannell)

The family lost their dog Maizie to heart failure in June 2022.

Having had Maizie for ten years, Laura, who owns Stagecoach Performing Arts Nantwich, never imagined getting another one, let alone two.

“I was absolutely devastated,” she added.

“I was scrolling through Facebook and saw this little cream coloured dog with blue eyes.

“I don’t know what it was, but she just melted my heart.”

Laura made an enquiry, and ARC told her about the “atrocities” in Macedonia.

She said: “The dog arrived and she was skin and bone, it really upset me, it was awful.

“But she has settled in really well and we love her to bits.

“Then we got a message saying her sister still hadn’t been adopted and my husband said ‘we cant leave her can we?’”

Daisy and Asana (Image: Laura Grannell)

Laura explained she was telling Olivia about what the dogs had been through when she came up with the idea to climb Snowdon.

“The shelter put up a post saying they need food and beds for the winter and Olivia decided she wanted to raise some money,” Laura said.

“She’s done a lot of mountain walking already as my husband has done all the Wainwrights and Olivia joined him for some of those.

“Clearly a lot of people love dogs as she’s raised nearly £1,000 now.

“She’s also mentioned she wants to do something for the homeless this Christmas, I can’t really say no when she’s trying to make a difference in the world.”

Visit JustGiving to donate to Olivia's fundraiser.