A KIND-hearted eight-year-old from Kendal is raising money for victims of gas attacks in Syria.

Ali Khalil, who goes to Ghyllside Primary School, was so influenced by what he saw on the news following the attacks in the city of Douma in April that he wanted to help.

Along with his mother Katie Hayward, Ali is putting on a raffle and an art exhibition to raise funds to send to effected families.

Katie said: "We were watching the news one night and Ali was really upset by what he saw, he was in tears.

"I think it was the other children that he saw on the television that really brought it home for him.

"He said to me that he wanted to give them all his money to help and I told him that he didn't have any money, so he said that he wanted to raise some.

"That was when we thought about doing the raffle, and I have some friends who are artists in the area, and they have volunteered to auction their art for the cause."

Katie said that they are planning a date for the raffle and auction, but that it will take place towards the end of May.

A Facebook group has also been set up and on it there are links for donations. The name of the page is 'Ali's Fundraising for Syria Page'.

They have also spoken to the headteacher at Ali's school, who has publicised Ali's efforts in the school newsletter.

Katie added: "Ali is a very caring and sensitive boy. I am very proud of him for wanting to do this.

"When we get some money we are going to send it to some friends we have who live near where the gas attacks took place.

"Because of these friends we follow what is going on in Syria very closely, and Ali knew about them when he heard about Syria."