A schoolboy from Darlington has raised £155 for a homeless veteran’s charity after making and selling bracelets to his family, school friends and teachers.
Harry Gayles, aged 8, said he wanted to give back to veterans who have struggled with the transition to civilian life and chose Launchpad’s Hollyacre House in Durham to give his donation to.
Harry rallied family members to make 115 bracelets which are made of small beads and elastic and made them in various colours and sizes to appeal to everyone.
Harry attends West Park Academy in Darlington and is a popular primary school for service families who are based near Catterick. He said he was inspired by BBC 1 radio presenter Dean McCullough after he starred in last year’s series of the popular TV show I’m a Celebrity. His mother’s partner is also a veteran. He joined the Army when he was 17 and served five years as a mechanic.
Harry said,
“I wanted to give back to veterans and I was pleased when all my friends and even teachers bought a bracelet and supported my idea. I hope the money will help those veterans who are struggling. I have a lot of friends at school whose parents are serving in the Army so I was keen to support them in some way.
“There was a lot of bracelets to make so I’m pleased all my family and Nana helped me. I found it very therapeutic but annoying when the beads sometimes fell off the elastic and then I would have to start all over again. I’m glad my donation will help the veterans at Launchpad.”
Sharon Hudson, Deputy Manager at Launchpad’s Hollyacre House, said:
“It was lovely to meet Harry and his family and invite them into Hollyacre House so we could thank him personally but also show him how his donation can help us to deliver the services we do to homeless veterans. What a lovely caring little boy who has a heart of gold. Donations like this mean so much to our charity.”
Staff from Launchpad’s Hollyacre House invited Harry into the house to meet some of the staff and residents and was treated to pizza for his lunch as a thank you. He was also given a tour of the house and was pleased with his visit.
Launchpad provides vital accommodation and targeted support to UK Armed Forces’ veterans who have struggled with their transition to civilian life. The charity manages three houses in Liverpool, Newcastle, and Durham and accepts veterans from all over the UK providing accommodation for 98 homeless veterans.
Demand for specialist veteran’s accommodation and services is increasing, with 361 homeless veterans’ approaching, or being referred to Launchpad (across all three houses) in 2024 alone.
