WHILE everyone else will be tucking into the turkey and dishing out presents from under the tree, one Hampshire woman is giving it all up to help a local charity.

Kylie Barton is boycotting this year's Christmas festivities to raise money for a cause close to her heart that has recently lost significant funding.

The Eastleigh resident hopes her efforts can help the charity she volunteers for, Eastleigh Young Carers, and is encouraging others to follow her lead.

Kyle will not be taking part in any typical Christmas activities including secret Santa, Christmas cards, Christmas decorations or lunch or the Young Carers Christmas party this year.

To lessen the loss, Kylie boyfriend Peter Handley is taking her to Egypt for Christmas.

Kylie's decision to do the fundraiser was prompted after Eastleigh Young Carers lost £120,000 of funding.

The charity had previously received the sum from Children in Need to help it for three years but when it applied last year was told funds could not support any more charities in Hampshire.

It is hoping to be successful this year.

She also said she wanted to do it because of the commercialisation of Christmas and quite simply that she does not need any more "stuff".

“There are others in this world far more in need than me, including the amazing and inspiring young people I volunteer for," said the 26-year-old, of Desborough Road.

"This is why this year I am doing things a little different, and am urging others to do the same.

"Instead of wasting money on toiletry sets that never get used, yet more socks, or an amount of sugary treats we shouldn’t even consumer in a year let alone a few days, I am asking people to give whatever money they were planning on spending on me to my chosen charity.

"In return, I am asking those who I would buy presents for which charity they would like me to donate to in their name."

Kylie got involved with the Young Carers two years ago through her job in the research department of Eastleigh based One Community, a charity which promotes volunteering, and says she is passionate about helping vulnerable young people.

Eastleigh Young Carers supports around 150 eight to 18-year-olds who are caring for a family member with a disability or illness.

Running in the borough for more than 16 years, it offers youngsters respite opportunities, the chance to meet others in a similar situation and to take some time away from their responsibilities.

Kylie jointly established a Young Carers choir a year ago and her work with the charity has seen her nominated by her work colleagues for a Halifax Community Award.

To support Kylie's challenge you can donate to Eastleigh Young Carers, highlighting it is for Kylie's Young Carers Christmas Appeal.

You can also go online to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charities/1community then click on the Eastleigh Young Carers link.