LITTLE Ellie Lebbon and Chloe Kostanjevec thought of other children before themselves on their own special days.

The pair, from Goytre, celebrated their fifth birthdays with a joint birthday party - but instead of receiving presents from all of their friends they donated money in lieu of gifts to the Sparkle Appeal.

We launched our Sparkle Appeal in December to raise £250,000 towards a new £6million children's centre to be built at High Cross and help disabled children across Newport, Torfaen and south Monmouthshire.

The girls had a party at Goytre Village Hall and Tracey Lebbon and Dee Kostanjevec, Ellie and Chloe's mums, decided that instead of each invited child bringing a present for the girls they would give money to donate to the Sparkle Appeal.

After the party the girls had managed to collect £230 from friends for presents, which will be donated to Sparkle.

Mrs Lebbon said: "My husband saw the appeal in the Argus and at Christmas instead of sending Christmas cards we donated money to the Sparkle Appeal.

"We both thought it would be good to donate money instead of the girls getting lots of presents from everybody."

Ellie and Chloe received birthday presents from family with Ellie getting a remote control car and Chloe a baby doll among other things.

Mrs Kostanjevec said: "We asked the girls if they minded not getting presents from their friends and put the money to charity and they didn't mind and wanted to help other children."

Mrs Lebbon said she had had a positive response from parents to the idea.

She said: "It is definitely a good charity, there is nothing like it in the area, it is really valuable for parents and the children."

Mrs Kostanjevec said: "The children had a great time at their birthday party and they didn't miss not having presents from friends."

Both girls said they didn't mind not getting presents. Ellie said: "I liked my Barbie cake and singing Happy Birthday, it was a good thing to do to help children who are poorly."

Chloe said: "I liked playing games at my party and helping children." Tina White, project manager, said it showed such unselfish behaviour to do something like that.

She said: "It is a lovely, lovely idea to think they did that to help other children, some people are so unselfish it is amazing and never ceases to amaze me."