Big-hearted seven-year-old Megan, of Broad Close, Eastfield, Peterborough, decided to raise money for Barnardo's after watching popular children's television programme Blue Peter.

The youngster, who cares for her mum, Alison (41), who is waiting for a liver transplant, decided that she wanted classmates at Newark Hill Primary School, in Eastfield Road, to take part in the programme's Disc Drive appeal.

With the help of her dad, Alan (46), Megan made and laminated a poster explaining what the initiative is, pitched her idea to her headteacher Lorraine Mann and then explained to pupils at a school assembly that by donating unwanted CDs, DVDs and computer game discs, they could raise money for young carers.

Three collection bins she made and dotted around the school have already been filling up with donations, despite the fact the initiative has only been running for a matter of days.

Mrs Cowzer, who suffers from a condition called primary biliary cirrhosis, which is a slowly progressive form of liver inflammation, said: "I am so proud of Megan.

"When she first said she was going to do this, I didn't think too much of it. But then she started making a poster and got her dad to help her on the computer, it became apparent she was very serious.

"She has had such as good response already, it has been amazing."

Mrs Cowzer said Megan has been a lifeline to her.

She said: "I suffer from terrible lethargy because of my condition, but Megan is a brilliant help. She helps me bath, chops vegetables and puts cream on me because I suffer from jaundice.

"Since the age of four she has been doing 'runners' for me, racing upstairs to fetch me things. She must have to do it 1,000 times a day. She is wonderful."

In a four-day period, classmates had donated 47 CDs, three CD roms and one DVD.

Headteacher Ms Mann said: "Megan's idea was a really good one. We like to encourage children to organise things themselves. The boxes she made are already full."

Megan said: "I like to watch Blue Peter which is where I saw about the Disc Drive.

"My friends at school say they really like the idea."

Deputy editor of Blue Peter Jack Lundie said: "This is a dream scenario for any charity. Megan has set a great example."

How charity will use Disc Drive cash

A YOUNG carer is somebody under 18 who looks after someone – often their mum or dad – who is physically or mentally ill, disabled, or has problems with drugs or alcohol.

Money raised by the Disc Drive will help Barnardo's young carers in three ways:

To arrange sessions with expert Barnardo's support workers.

To give them respite and the chance to take part in normal everyday activities and their own hobbies and interests.

To offer them contact with other young carers and support networks you can drop your old CDs and DVDs to branches of Lloyds TSB or BBC Radio Cambridge in Priestgate. You can also post them to: Blue Peter Disc Drive, DHL, Kimpton Road, Luton LU2 0JX.

For further details, visit www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/discdrive