A little boy with a very big heart is set to play Santa for real by helping rough sleepers on the streets of London’s East End keep warm over Christmas.
Frankie Hill, a six-year-old pupil from Bethnal Green’s St Elizabeth primary school, has set up his own online appeal to buy them hats, scarves and gloves to help keep out the winter cold.
He has already raised more than £300 so far from his Just Giving “keepwarmwithfrankie” page from relatives, friends and wellwishers.
“Christmas is a very fun time for me and my family,” he says on his online page.
“We all get to spend time together in our warm homes, sharing food and gifts.
“It makes me feel sad that some people don’t get to do the same as me. Some people live on the streets, all alone and in the freezing cold—I would like to help keep them warm this winter.”
The Year 2 pupil was designing a Christmas card for the Mayor of Tower Hamlets’ annual competition when he hit on the idea of helping those out on the streets less fortunate than his own family.
His mum Jane reminded Frankie that Christmas was also about giving, not just receiving.
Jane, 34, told the East London Advertiser: “I asked him what he thought about people without a home and he got sad about it and said he wants to keep them warm.
“So we set up a fundraising page to raise £250—but Frankie’s page has had so many donations that it’s raised £305 so far.”
The proud mum added: “Frankie wants to buy the stuff, then walk round the streets and hand it out to anyone he meets who is homeless.”
Jane has told his school what Frankie is doing and hopes his classmates spread the word.
One anonymous £10 donor wrote on his page: “I hope you inspire all your friends at school to do something nice for others too.”
Another wellwisher, who put in £20, wrote: “So proud of you. Such a thoughtful little boy. You will make a lot of people in need happy and warm this winter.”
The big supermarkets are also supporting his fundraising for the homeless—Sainsbury’s in Whitechapel and Waitrose at Stratford are giving him gift cards to help boost his fundraising even more.
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