Little Frankie Hill set himself a £250 cash target to buy clothes for rough sleepers in London’s East End—but the six-year-old found his ‘Just Giving’ online Christmas appeal has gone viral.
The Bethnal Green infant has raised an astonishing £8,600 so far—and the cash is still pouring in after just three weeks.
His mum Jane Brooks contacted the East London Advertiser hoping to generate local interest in their neighbourhood around Cambridge Heath Road—but never expected such global interest with Frankie’s appeal even reaching Australia.
“We thought he’d get just a few donations from friends and neighbours,” Jane said. “But his ‘Just Giving’ page took off and we’ve been flooded with donations from wellwishers around the world. The donations are still coming in.”
Then original appeal went on the Advertiser’s website on December 5, which was picked up by a TV station.
Frankie is probably the world’s youngest Santa, coming up with the idea of buying hats, scarves and gloves to help protect those on the streets from the winter cold this Christmas.
The internet-savvy superkid set up his “keepwarmwithfrankie” page with the message: “Christmas is a very fun time for me and my family in our warm homes, sharing food and gifts.
“It makes me sad that some people don’t get to do the same. Some people live on the streets, all alone and in the freezing cold—I would like to help keep them warm.”
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.
He has been visiting Shelter charity’s homeless night centres around Whitechapel, and Limehouse with his mum since starting his funraising.
“He asks homeless people what they need most,” Jane, 34, added. “They tell us they lose their dignity if they can’t clean up, but most of all they want socks, thermals and underwear.”
Frankie’s warm heartedness doesn’t stop when the festive season is over. He wants to organise fundraising events at his school, St Elizabeth Primary, and a fancy dress sponsored walk in Victoria Park in the New Year.
Frankie’s favourite fancy dress is his Superboy outfit—but then, he is rather a special superboy!
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