Lewis keeps up a tradition

AN old photo album inspired an eight-year-old boy from Heathfield to arrange a fundraising forecourt sale.

Lewis Gadd, of Springwood Road, was looking through an old photo album when he spotted a photo of his mum, aged 10, running a forecourt fete almost 30 years ago.

Instantly, Lewis knew he wanted to do the same thing and set about organising it.

He decided the money raised would go to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, because his mum raised money for them when she was a little girl.

Lewis went around shops and neighbours asking them to donate prizes for the raffle and also asked people to bake cakes for sale.

On the day, although it was cloudy, many people turned up and joined in with the fun. Over 300 was raised with over 100 of it coming from the raffle. The first prize was a hot air balloon ride, which was kindly donated by a neighbour.

Shirley Parry, Lewis's grandma, was thrilled with the day. She said: 'There were ten stalls and even Lewis's five-year-old sister, Amber, helped out by running the Name the Teddy stall. She was upset to see the large teddy go though!'

'It was mainly Lewis' friends who ran the stalls and they were all very good. The amount we raised was great if you think we were mainly taking 10 and 20p! It was a very successful afternoon.'

Shirley added: 'Lewis has always wanted a puppy, so he's hoping the money he has raised will go towards buying one that will be trained up for a blind person.'