Northfield Primary pupil becomes one of the country’s youngest fundraisers for ex servicemen charity

Toby Gartlend aged 7 hands over a cheque for £135 to the British Limbless Ex-servicemen Association. L-R: Ms Julie Jenkins (headteacher), Toby, Charley Streather.

Northfield Primary & Nursery School pupil Toby Gartland has raised over £100 for Blesma at just seven years old.

Inspired by the poppy installation at the Tower of London, Toby put forward the idea of planting poppies on the school grounds, and then took it upon himself to raise money for Blesma by doing odd jobs such as washing cars, gardening, path-brushing, vacuuming and looking after a friend’s plant after school.

By collecting donations for the chores he carried out, Toby has raised £135 for Blesma which will help the charity support injured service personnel to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Toby presented a cheque for £135 to Blesma Support Officer and Member Charley Streather in a special assembly held on Wednesday 25th February.

Charley said: “The assembly was a lovely occasion and it was fantastic to be able to receive a cheque from Toby who has clearly engaged with charitable causes and his community at a young age. On behalf of Blesma I’d like to thank him for all his efforts.”

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless service men and women, their widows and dependants. It was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932.