Joshua’s bracelet empire will raise money for BHF

Joshua Czaja, ten, of Chilgrove Close, Goring, wanted to help the British Heart Foundation after they saved his grandfather’s life when he suffered a heart attack last year.

Now, he has started selling loom bands, the latest craze which sees coloured rubber bands being twisted into bracelets. He is buying the bands out of his own pocket money and selling the bracelets for £1.

His mother Kim said: “It all started when Joshua’s class made some loom bands to sell within the school to raise money for Cancer Research Uk.

“He came home and told me that he wanted to make his own bands to try to raise money for the British Heart Foundation because my dad Michael suffered a heart attack and had to have stents put in his arteries.

“The treatment has given Dad a new lease of life, but it was a very difficult time for us, particularly Joshua.

“When he came up with this idea I was so proud. His first target was £100 but I did not want him being disheartened so we lowered it to £50. But the power of Facebook has led to an overwhelming demand and Joshua is now making these bands to order. He has raised £79.

“There are not many children his age that want to give like this, it is a lovely thing.”

Joshua said: “I wanted to raise money for the people that helped Grandad when he was in hospital.

“I put bands on two fingers and keep turning it over until they make bracelets. It takes about five minutes but sometimes when I have been doing a lot my fingers go purple.

“Grandad takes me to play golf on Saturdays and we go to the park and play football. I have made him a red and white bracelet for the British Heart Foundation and also a green and yellow one, his favourite colours.”

To donate go to www.justgiving.com and search for Joshua Czaja