But instead the selfless St Joseph’s Primary pupil has chosen to use her award to help provide a bit of joy for other unloved and abandoned canines and ensure they can live a happy life.

Earlier this year we revealed how the 12-year-old’s Yorkshire Terrier ‘Bonnie’ had secured a £50 voucher for Creature Comforts pet store after she was named as the runner-up in the Post’s Pet Factor competition.

However, rather than using the prize to spoil her own four-legged friend the generous Faifley youngster has donated it to charity Dogs Trust which helps care for thousands of animals which have been cast aside by cruel and careless owners.

Last week Kathleen’s proud mum Michelle said: “I gave her pocket money and she would spend it on the Pet Factor competition. I think it was a phase she was going through but she is very close with the dog.

“During the competition she said to me ‘Can I donate the prize to Dogs Trust because Bonnie has anything she wants and has us supporting her?’ I said it was up to her what she did with it.

“She’s a very kind person and she will always help raise money for things if she can do it.” Kind-hearted Kathleen is no stranger to fundraising for charity and managed to raise £80 for St Margaret of Scotland Hospice at Christmas after promoting and selling a rocket she made as part of a school project on the Call Yourself A Bankie facebook page.

Speaking ahead of her trip to Dogs Trust’s rehoming centre in Uddingston to hand over her prize, Kathleen told the Post she was thrilled to be in a position to help other animals who are not as fortunate as her own.

She said: “I was happy and excited because I like giving to charity. Me and Bonnie celebrated by going for a long walk.

“The idea just popped in my head. The Dogs Trust adverts came on the TV and I just thought about it. At the end of the day it was it’s not for me, it’s for the dogs, and it will help them if they’ve been abandoned.

“Some dogs don’t get treated as well as others so I hope they’ll be pleased.” In light of Kathleen’s altruistic gesture a spokeswoman for Dogs Trust praised the youngster’s giving spirit.

She said: “We were delighted to receive the generous donation from Kathleen. We look forward to showing her the rehoming centre and introducing her to our homeless hounds whom her thoughtful gift will help care for.

“Her love of dogs is clearly evident and we hope she will enjoy receiving lots of licks and wags from our grateful four legged residents.

“Kind donations like this help us provide the best possible care for our dogs while they wait for loving new homes.” Kathleen would like to thank Danny Smith and Margo Murphy and all the other people who have supported her recent efforts.