Generous young girl from Rugby spends a chilly Christmas Eve handing home-baked goodies to stranded truckers

A generous young girl from Rugby spent a chilly Christmas Eve giving out home-baked treats to stranded truckers in the town.

10-year-old Lexie Watkins from Brownsover had spent the day baking trays full of brownies, jam tarts and cookies.

Lexie's mother Angela said: "It was my day off so we thought we'd turn it into a baking day.

"It was already quite late, about 9pm I think, when we saw a post on Facebook wishing lorry drivers a merry Christmas."

Lexi and Angela were then saddened by the thought of all the lorry drivers stranded in the borough away from their families over Christmas and decided to use their baked treats to spread some cheer.

"Lexie had her coat and shoes on and was by the door in seconds," Angela said.

Armed with four trays of goodies and enlisting the help of father Daniel as driver, the family set out for Swift Valley.

They soon began knocking on lorry windows - with one of the first drivers they visited being confused and thinking they were selling the treats, before happily taking a chocolate brownie.

Another driver even offered Lexie food before she had chance to offer him anything.

"One lorry driver, before we could even offer him anything, gave Lexi a box of chocolates and wished her a merry Christmas," Angela said.

"We had to insist that he took a brownie."

All but one of the lorry drivers were from overseas, and Angela said she suspects they were stranded in the country over Christmas because of border issues.

The reaction from the drivers was heartening Angela said, with Lexi adding: "It made me really happy to be able to make others happy on Christmas Eve."

Angela said: "It got quite late, we were all shivering and we started saying, 'let's go home, it's getting colder and Father Christmas will come soon' - but Lexi said, 'come on, let's keep going'."

The family finally arrived home at around 11pm.

Angela said she is very proud of Lexi.

"She has always wanted to help people. I think this is what she was born to do," she said.

"Last year she spent all her pocket money in ASDA buying things to donate to the food bank.

"If we see homeless people in the street she will go into the supermarket to get them something.

Lexie previously attended Boughton Leigh Junior School and one Christmas brought a hamper full of stationary to her class after hearing there was a shortage of supplies.

Sadly Lexie was bullied at school, and had to move to Northlands Primary School.

"She is so strong," Angela said.

"She's doing really well now and has been made a prefect."

Lexie is already making plans to do something for the community next Christmas.

"I'd like to do something for the homeless," she said.