An eight-year-old boy has raised hundreds of pounds for charity following the death of his next door neighbour.
Malachy ‘Mally’ O’Connor, who attends Seer Green Primary School, helped organised a sports day event where classmates, parents and members of the public all attended.
The fundraiser, which took place on October 14, so those who attended take part in raffles, a 100-metre race, a long jump, penalty shootouts and more, with all the money going towards Cancer Research.
Mally and his mother, Kelly, helped organise the event which took place on October 14 (Image: NQ)
This comes after the O’Connor’s next-door neighbour, Elvira Evans, succumbed to the illness earlier this year.
She was in her 70s.
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Speaking to the Free Press, Mally said: “My neighbour died from cancer and I wanted to make a change in the world.
“It’s important to raise money so that’s why I wanted to have a sports day, as I think everyone will enjoy that.
The fundraiser lasted for two hours and saw many local people, students and parents arrive in force (Image: NQ)
“And whenever we [Elvira Evans] saw each other, she always said hello to us and she always had a smile on her face.”
His mother, Kelly, then told the Free Press that her son told the school about his plan without telling her first and that she had to ‘scramble to get everything organised.’
Despite that, she is ‘very proud’ of the eight-year-old who ‘took the lead’ when sorting out the activities.
The tuck shop was a very popular addition to the event (Image: NQ)
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She said: “It has been in the works for the last three weeks.
“After Elvira died, Mally asked me which day we had free so when I said October 14, he said he wanted to do a charity fundraiser.
“He then told his school in assembly on September 25 that he was doing it without telling me first so you can imagine it’s been a bit of a scramble to get everything organised, but it’s been great.
“Mally has done all of it himself.
The lucky dip stand was also a popular feature (Image: NQ)
“He’s asked for donations, asked the neighbours and friends to take part, asked businesses for raffle prizes, asked people to get some cakes made, it’s been wonderful.
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“I’ve let him take the lead, and with the help of me and his sister, Rose, we’re hoping to raise a lot of money.
“I’m very proud of him.”
Mally’s initial target of £65 was smashed when £100 was donated.
He has since upped his goal to £1,000 and at the time of writing, £340 has been raised.
To donate to the cause, click here.
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