A nine-year-old has met the trainee guide dog she named after raising £5,000.

And Scarlett Elliott from Ashford will soon be meeting her second named guide dog, as she celebrates reaching the £10,000 mark.

Scarlett began her fundraising journey in May 2018 when she attended Kennington Fair, running up to a Guide Dogs stall.

Mum Michelle, who is a woodworker at Granddad Rob Designs Ltd, recalled: "She ran up and said she wanted to be a guide dog trainer when she grew up.

"I thought Stephen Fryer, the Ashford and Tenterden branch organiser, would say 'That's sweet' and turn away, but instead he invited her to their next training session.

"As she was only five, I thought it'd just be a phase.

"Three years on and none of us can believe she's raised so much in such little time.

"We call the local branch members our guide dog family - they all mean so much to us.

"The Ashford and Tenterden community has been amazing, not just in giving money during her events but also supporting Scarlett along the way."

Scarlett - along with sister Izzy, her mum and dad Richard - spends many weekends holding raffles, tombola, fair stalls and bucket rattling at shops and banks.

With her initial goal of £5,000 achieved, she got to name a trainee puppy which she decided to call Max after a family friend's dog who she was close to before its death.

She finally got to meet Max on Friday after Covid delayed their first meeting.

On the day, her mum said: "She hasn't slept very well because she's been so excited."

Scarlett was beaming as she met the black Labrador, who was excitedly looking around at all her new four-footed friends and two-footed supporters.

Jan Merrett has been raising Max in her home, ready to hand him over to Guide Dogs' professional trainers at 16 months old.

She said: "He's doing very well and he's probably the best one out of the six I've trained.

"You can never tell if he'll pass his training to be a full working dog but he's showing very positive signs."

"She's irrepressible!"

Now having reached £10,000 she will name a second puppy, whose name will be Sophie.

The name comes from her mum's cousin, who had complex needs and sadly died at the age of 21.

Her mum says Scarlett's not done yet, and when she reaches the £15,000 mark there'll be another pup called Moxy - named after her one-eyed cat that passed away at the age of 16.

Mr Fryer, who is a puppy raiser as well as branch organiser, said: "Our branch is one of the best for fundraising, bringing in £40,000 to £50,000 each year.

"Scarlett's been a big part of that, and even during Covid she's been continuing fundraising so she's been a massive help."

The 76-year-old, who has raised 39 trainee puppies with his wife Lorna, added: "Her reaching £5,000 was incredible but £10,000 is something else.

"Now she's going for £15,000 - she's irrepressible!"

Kate Hunter, the charity's community fundraiser for Kent echoed this praise, saying: "She's awesome. I've never known such a young person to be so communicative, dedicated and passionate.

"The support of her family has been incredible and they're a much-loved part of this group, which is such an active one in fundraising and promoting awareness.

"Scarlett has said she wants to work for Guide Dogs in future and the trainers' course is very much open for her in a few years time when she's old enough."

She further highlighted the support of the nine-year-old's mum Michelle, who helps organise and run events, and her 16-year-old sister Izzy who runs the administrative side of the effort when their mum is busy.

"When we enter a room people light up..."

One of those present when Scarlett met Max was Pat Marshall with her guide dog Rosie, who expressed just how vital the charity's work is.

Mrs Marshall, who lost her sight later in life, said: "They are companions and you can actually go out whenever you want without having to rely on other people.

"It's truly wonderful because when we enter a room people light up.

"Using a white cane is hard work and everyone ignores you, but with a dog you become alive and visible again.

"But Guide Dogs isn't just about the dogs, it also provides a sense of community and is very social which is normally rare for me to achieve as a non-seeing person."

Speaking about her incredible fundraising effort, Scarlett Elliott said: "I just love dogs and I think people should have a second chance to see."

The KM Group is committed to helping the community through the KM Charity team. For more information and to find out what other good causes you can get involved in click here.

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