A CARING Goldthorpe youngster used his pocket money and cash raised from a sponsored bike ride to donate hundreds of items to The Salvation Army.
Nine-year-old George Schuller not only donated some of his clothes, but also bought milk, cereal, chocolate spread, pasta, nappies, washing powder and much more to the organisation’s foodbank, which supports 40 people a week in Goldthorpe.
Having used his pocket money to donate in the past, George then raised £245 by cycling almost 35 miles in 12 days - dropping off two tables worth of food just in time for the Easter holidays.
He said: “I’ve got a lot of stuff and I know some kids haven’t got a lot so I thought if I give them something this would help them out.
“I want children to be happy.
“I hope other people will know what a difference it makes and will do it as well.”
His mum, 36-year-old Gemma, added: “We had been to Goldthorpe Salvation Army for a few of the free activity days they put on for children in the community.
“George was showing an interest in what The Salvation Army does and when I was sorting out some clothes to donate, he said ‘can I sort more clothes for them?’.
“He wanted to do more and asked what else they needed.
“I spoke to Alison (Goldthorpe Salvation Army church leader) and she offered some suggestions.
“In the past he donated chocolate spread then cereal and milk.
“For Easter he bought a mix of staple food like tins, milk and pasta, some toiletries and nappies and treats like biscuits.
“I said I would buy the items but he insisted on using his own pocket money and the money he raised from his bike ride.
“He says ‘I don’t need it’.
“Rather than spending it on Xbox games, he wants to give it to other children.”
Goldthorpe Salvation Army runs a weekly foodbank as well as operating as a warm space, community drop in, signposting service helping people access benefits, health, refugee support, and a uniform exchange.
Territorial envoy Alison Sykes, who leads Goldthorpe Salvation Army with community project co-ordinator Jackie Kenning, said: “George is a superstar.
“He is so generous in the way that he thinks about helping others above himself and is setting a great example.
“Need in Goldthorpe continues to increase with the cost-of-living crisis and we often find ourselves running short of items for our food bank, recently it has been items like nappies and baby milk, so generous donations like George’s make such a difference.
“He not only donates to our food bank, but gave his clothes to help others.
“This makes such a difference to families that are struggling so thank you so much to George and all our kind donors, we couldn’t do this without you.”
