Feature

Seven-Year-Old Uses Pedal Power For Haiti

A seven-year-old boy has raised more than £50,000 to help survivors of the Haitian earthquake.

Charlie Simpson, from Fulham in south-west London, cycled five miles around his local park to raise funds for Unicef's Haiti Earthquake Children's Appeal.

He started off hoping to raise £500 but as news of his challenge spread pledges flooded into his appeal.

On his JustGiving page, Charlie said: "I want to do a sponsored bike ride for Haiti because there was a big earthquake and loads of people have lost their lives.

"I want to make some money to buy food, water and tents for everyone in Haiti.

Charlie's mother Leonora told Sky News that the idea was her son's alone.

"He saw news of the tragedy on television and said he wanted to do something and the bike ride was born from that."

Charlie's father Dan took him round the track with sister Alice and mum cheering him on.

"What started off as a little cycle round the park with his dad has turned into something a lot bigger than that and we can't believe it.

"I am extremely proud of our Charlie, he's done really well. He's worked hard and he's raised a phenomenal amount of money so we couldn't ask for anything more."

Unicef is providing emergency relief on water, sanitation, education and nutrition as well as supporting child protection.

Unicef's Michael Newsome said: ""Charlie's done this all by himself.

"It's always heartwarming when any child starts to respond and there's something quite special about a child in the UK reaching out to the children of Haiti.

"Children in Haiti are by far the most vulnerable in a situation like this.

"It's quite fabulous when a child like Charlie, and all of the other children who are sponsoring him and doing things, are saying they want to get involved and make a difference.""

Source: Internet