A REMARKABLE 10-year-old girl will join her mum on a mission to help struggling Syrian refugees on a Greek island.

Grappenhall Heys resident Layla Hawcroft and mum Zubia, 40, will travel to Samos on Sunday for the week-long trip, alongside eight other volunteers.

The Inspirational Bradshaw Community Primary School pupil has been 'pestering' her mum, who will be completing her third trip to the island, to join her.

And after promising Layla she would get the chance to go overseas to offer support before attending secondary school, Zubia feels the time is now right.

"She has been asking me if she can work in a refugee camp with me and I made her the promise," she said.

"It is a very safe environment – in the last 12 months hundreds of thousands of refugees have crossed but there is zero crime."

Layla will be setting up a cinema at the camp as part of her work with the youngsters.

It will see her take a projector abroad to treat children to cartoons and animations over the course of the week.

"Layla wants to make it nice for the kids and she loves watching films, so wants children there to get the chance to as well," said Zubia.

"She is also going to be helping with arts and crafts for the kids.

"I am looking at setting up a project to buy sewing machines when I am there so we can recycle the material from the life jackets and get the kids to make bags and purses.

"My duties there will include managing a training programme to help locals at the camp prepare the deceased according to traditions.

"Unfortunately, many refugees have drowned, and I am happy to train funeral directors on how to carry out the process properly."

Zubia will also be setting up an internet café abroad and will take several computers along to get the initiative started.

The mum-of-two has praised all those at Bradshaw School, in Grappenhall, as well as those closest to her, for their efforts and support in recent months.

"They have all been brilliant at the school and carried out collections for a number of things including warm clothing and sanitation packs," she added.

"Staff and parents are really supportive, which reflects on the children.

"The children have been wishing Layla good luck – that emotional support is really nice.

"I am very lucky to be able to do this again and I wouldn't get the chance to do it without my family."