VLOGGER and online lifestyle star Niomi Smart has pledged her support for a children’s charity.

The 24-year-old who was born in Brighton joined a team from Rockinghorse for a special visit to Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital.

Rockinghorse is the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alex in Brighton and also supports children's services across Sussex.

Niomi is best-known for her weekly videos about food, fitness and fashion with more than 1.8 million subscribers to her YouTube channel.

While on a Christmas break back in Brighton with her family, Niomi was keen to visit the Royal Alex and spend time supporting Rockinghorse as well as chatting to a number of young patients on the wards.

Niomi also witnessed first-hand the work that Rockinghorse does to support the Alex, and enjoyed a tour of the facilities, including the dedicated Sea Life sensory room in the play department, where she also videoed a vlogmas message for her followers.

Part of her visit included helping Rockinghorse staff hand out festive hampers on the wards.

This was part of Aidan’s Christmas Dinner Project which is supported by the charity.

It raises money to give Christmas meals to parents of young patients who spent the big day in hospital.

Niomi said: "It has been amazing to come here to the Royal Alex and see first-hand the work of Rockinghorse.

"I knew the charity was doing great things, but actually coming here and seeing everything for myself has just blown my mind – they are making such a difference to both the patients and their parents.”

Niomi is also supporting the charity’s fundraising appeal for 2017 which is called Sussex Giving for Sussex Children.

This is urging people to pledge their support and donate towards a 500,000 target set by Rockinghorse.

The money raised will be split between 10 children’s centres and paediatric services in Sussex.

To find out more about the charity’s appeal, or to make a donation, visit rockinghorse.org.uk.