X Factor winner Sam Bailey has helped raise more than £10,000 for Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People from fans donating at her shows.

In February, the star from Leicester announced that she would raise money for Rainbows while carrying out her 2017 Sing My Heart Out tour.

A collection was held at the end of each of the 32 shows across the UK, and fans dug deep into their pockets to raise money for the hospice which cares children and young people with life-limiting illnesses, including those from East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire.

On Tuesday, July 19 Sam Bailey made a surprise visit to the Loughborough hospice to meet the poorly youngsters and hand over the cheque to staff.

She said: “I’m so pleased that I have been able to raise £10,300 for Rainbows; the work they do there is just outstanding and every time I visit I feel so proud to be a patron for them.

“I had such an amazing time on tour and raising much-needed funds for such a deserving charity has been the icing on the cake for me.”

Sam Bailey presented a cheque of £10,300 to the hospice earlier this week

The former prison warden became a patron for the charity last year joining other big names such as footballer and commentator Gary Lineker, former newsreader and consumer campaigner Angela Rippon and Coronation Street star Bill Roache.

Rainbows Hospice launched in 1994 and works to support children with life-limiting illness and their families. It is the only hospice for children and young people in the East Midlands, and team members work to relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, support family members and care for children until the end.

Rainbows chief executive David Strudley said: “On behalf of everyone at the hospice, I would like to thank Sam for coming along today to present us with the fantastic donation of more than £10,000 she raised during her tour.

“Her support makes such a difference to the children and young people who benefit from our care. Along with all of her fans, Sam is certainly helping to put smiles on a lot of faces."

What is the Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People?

Since the hospice was officially opened in 1995 by Prince Charles, thousands of children and their families across the East Midlands have been given the support they need at one of the most difficult periods in any family’s life.

It has been estimated that there are 20,000 families across the UK facing life-limiting illnesses and parents are often expected to become full-time carers. This is where Rainbows Hospice comes in.

The charity helps children and families in these situations and support them emotionally and physically, helping them to make the most of life.

The hospice supports families from Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Rutland and north Northamptonshire.