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A schoolboy who has donated all his toys and CDs to a children's ward since he was treated there has gone a stage further to raise £1,000.
Ayomide Soleye, 11, has made it his mission to help the Royal Free after he was treated there for a ruptured appendix when he was eight.
Since then he has given away all his old toys, DVDs and CDs to the sick children at the hospital and this year set himself the task of raising £500 to upgrade the play area.
He wrote a heartfelt letter to his schoolfriends asking them to donate and was delighted when he managed to raise more than double his target.
Ayomide, who goes to Arnold House School in St John's Wood, presented the £1,145 cheque to the Royal Free Charity at the children's ward this week with his friend Daniyal Sachee. The pair also provided patients with some festive entertainment by playing Christmas carols on their cellos.
He said: "I'm so grateful to all the staff on the children's ward because they made my time in hospital so much more comfortable. I've been donating toys for the past three years but this year I wanted to do something extra special so I decided to raise £500 to help upgrade the children's play area, where I spent some hours when I was on the ward."
His mother Lara added: "I'm really proud of him because it was all his own idea. When he was in hospital he was only eight and he couldn't get his head around the fact that some children would have to be in hospital over Christmas. He kept saying 'Won't they be with their family?' and 'Will they still get Christmas pudding?'
"People have been so generous - four people gave us £100 each. Everyone knows what a good cause it is and many have had personal experiences of the Royal Free, so they've really dug deep into their pockets."
The charity today thanked Ayomide for his generosity.
Chief executive Chris Burghes said: "We are very grateful to Ayomide and his friends and family for this generous donation, which will help us to further improve the children's ward."
Trish Luck, children's ward matron, added: "Ayomide is a very special boy and we thank him for all his efforts over the last four years. His and Daniyal's cello playing was also a lovely treat for the children on the ward."
Reader views (8)
As a 15 year old, I am totally impressed with this kid! He is definitely showing the true meaning of Christmas by giving of himself for people who don't have as much or enough of what they need. His generosity is enormous, by volunteering his own money and urging others to do the same, to give to complete strangers when they are in need in the hospital. As a teen, I think he did more good as a youth than people do in their full lives. He got me thinking about how many high schools my city has and how all of the students in them can do something similar. Way to go Ayomide!
- Andrew, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, 28/12/2011 20:55
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this is not a boy this is a MAN.
p. bloomberg
old man
glendale, ca
- p.bloomberg, glendale, ca, 21/12/2011 00:06
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May I echo the sentiments on here already; a credit to youngsters and indeed society in general. Compare him to that brat a few days ago demanding certain presents, or "Santa gets it," and the mother prepared to indulge her "requirements!"
This sort of story stands out amongst all the bad news surrounding us and gives those generally pessimistic about the future (myself included) hope. This shows it's not all about greed, and hope Ayomide has every success in the future - he deserves it.
Well done Ayomide and "Mum!"
- Tim, London, UK, 20/12/2011 18:19
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What a wonderful child. His mother has every right to be proud of him, she has done a great job. Even without her suggesting it, it is her influence that has made him into such a generous and exceptional human being. He will make a wonderful adult and I wish him and his family a very merry Christmas - and a magnificent future to Ayomide.
What a ray of sunshine compared to all the appalling news we read every day about boys as old or a liitle older than Ayomide. It gives hope for the future, where sometimes the youngsters leave us wondering just how bleak the future will be.
Thank you, Ayomide, for restoring a little faith in tomorrow's adults.
- Clarissa, Vienna, Austria, 20/12/2011 15:32
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In a time when we are so harsh in our criticism of the young in our society, this story warm the heart. Well done to this young man for showing the true meaning of Christmas.
- outraged, London, 20/12/2011 15:30
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We salute you! Have a great Christmas, Ayomide - and if his mum's reading this, give him a great, big hug from me!
- Baron von Richtofen, Biggin Hill, 20/12/2011 14:51
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Well done sunshine, a big heart for a small guy. Huge respect for you. If you are this single minded at 11 you will go far.
- DD, Basingstoke Hants, 20/12/2011 13:33
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Well done to Ayomide for actually caring enough to ensure that the Children's ward continues to be a place where sick children can get better in a more pleasant environment.
If I was his Mum I would be so proud.
I wish him continued good health and best wishes for the future.
- SMB, London, UK, 20/12/2011 13:28
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