A BIG hearted orphan who was adopted from Pakistan is on yet another fundraising venture for needy youngsters.

Eight-year-old Sabrena Afridi was rescued from the Edhi Orphanage in Karachi, Pakistan, by husband and wife Amjad and Sobia Afridi when she was just a baby.

The couple from New Marston also adopted four-year-old son Shariq from the same orphanage.

Mr Afridi will return to Pakistan later this year laden with shoes he and his daughter have been collecting for children at the home.

Mrs Afridi said: “When Amjad went last year he took 58 pairs of shoes and pink and blue blankets for the little boys and girls.

“This time he will take as many as he can. We know they really appreciate them.

“We’d really appreciate donations of good quality shoes in children’s sizes.”

When she was brought to Oxford, Sabrena was diagnosed with a blood disorder called thalassaemia, or thal, a condition which can lead to life-threatening anaemia.

She then faced a battle with NHS Oxfordshire, which decides how health cash should be spent, to get it to fund a daily tablet, Exjade, to replace painful injections.

The family was finally given the drug in 2010 and life has since improved.

The Rye St Anthony School pupil launched a similar fundraising mission last year when she set about collecting toothbrushes and toothpaste for the youngsters.

Sabrena was collecting the toothbrushes ahead of her first visit back to the orphanage since she was as a baby.

Mrs Afridi added: “Last year we went to the orphanage as a family. Sabrena was very quiet and it was quite emotional for all of us.

“Before we went Sabrena decided she wanted to take a little gift and as she has a thing about brushing her teeth, she decided to take toothbrushes.

“She is always keen to help the children there. Each night she and her brother say a prayer for them.”

Any shoes that are donated will be cleaned and smartened up and wrapped in a bow by the Afridi family.

Any footwear the Edhi Orphanage does not use will be donated to a charity set up by Mr Afridi’s sister, Masroor Afridi.

The Al-Hamd Trust helps to educate and feed street children.

To donate to Sabrena’s shoe collection, email Mrs Afridi at surrya56@hotmail.com