The Prime Minister has recognised Pembrokeshire youngster Elly Neville for fundraising for Withybush Hospital.

Elly has raised over £164,000 for cancer patients on the same ward where her dad 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.

Determined to give something back to the hospital that has given her family so much, Elly started a fundraising competition and, with the help of her parents and older siblings, attracted the support of local businesses, charities and schools, receiving donations from as far afield as the New Zealand All Blacks Rugby team.

The money Elly has raised has secured the hospital’s new bladder scanners, urine analysis machines and sofa beds for relatives who require overnight stays.

Elly is the latest recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.

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.

“I hope that her example at such a young age shows that you are never too young to get involved in voluntary work or fundraising.”

Paul Davies, AM for Preseli Pembrokeshire, said: “I’m thrilled that Elly Neville has been recognised for her fundraising efforts with a prestigious Points of Light award. The awards honour people who are making a change in their community -and Elly’s certainly doing that.

“She has successfully raised over £160,000 for the refurbishment and upgrading of Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital and I know that her tireless efforts have been so gratefully received by patients on the ward.

“Elly is a remarkable ambassador for Pembrokeshire and a very worthy recipient of this award. Congratulations Elly!”

Bernardine Rees, chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “We started with Elly on her journey two and a half years ago and we are thrilled that Elly has received this award. What she has achieved in two years is truly inspirational. We very much appreciate Team Elly’s support, which continues to help us in improving cancer services locally, particularly in relation to Ward 10, Withybush Hospital.”

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.”

Elly is the 940th winner of the Points of Light award, which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA. Over 6,000 Points of Light have been awarded in the USA, and former Presidents have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK. There is a similar cross-party approach to the UK programme and MPs from different parties often present their constituents with their Points of Light awards.

Regardless of whether it’s a doctor restoring local monuments in her free time, a father teaching young people life skills, or a local musician giving a voice to lonely people, the Points of Light award honours shining examples of volunteering across the UK.