A YOUNG boy is hoping his efforts will inspire others after a school project to help out the elderly raised over £100 for charity.

Ryan Henderson, 12, from Radcliffe, was set a task as part of the Archbishop of York Community Project at his school, Bury Church High School.

After deciding that he wanted to help out people in his local community, Ryan embarked on odd jobs tasks for the few weeks that he had to complete the project, raising money for local charity Friendly Faces.

The social group, organised by mum-of-four Cherella Young, was set up to reduce isolation among Radcliffe’s elderly residents and is a big success in the community.

Ryan completed jobs such as gardening and yard cleaning, washing up, dog grooming, cleaning kitchen cupboards, changing bedding, polishing and vacuuming and wallpaper stripping and raised £105 in total plus a last minute £10 donation for a last minute job.

Afterwards, the youngster presented a cheque for £105 plus another £10 in cash to Friendly Faces and was happy with his achievements.

He said: “I feel proud of myself because I know people in the community will benefit from what I have done.

“I really enjoyed the wallpaper stripping for the lady from Friendly Faces and I could tell that she was enjoying having the company, which is what Friendly Faces is all about.”

Ms Young, who says she was inspired to start up the group after encountering many lonely and isolated pensioners in her job selling mobility equipment, was full of praise for the youngster.

She said: “On behalf of Friendly Faces we would like to say how very proud we are of Ryan and all the hard work he put into raising the money for our group.

“Ryan did all sorts of jobs for people within the community such as gardening, decorating and household chores.

“He is an inspiration and an absolute credit to his family.

“He regularly helps out at his local church and is such a selfless young man.

Ryan’s mother, Claire Henderson, who is the publicity manager for Radcliffe Parish Church of St Mary, said she was proud of everything that her son had done.

“He really thought about the ways in which he could help the community,” she said.

“Although he can be quite shy, he really puts himself out there because he was thinking of others before himself.”

She also praised the school for setting the project in the first place.

“Bury Church High School are always keen to do things for charity and really embody the Christian ethos of helping others.

“I think it’s great that the children in Year 7 have been given the task of trying to improve their communities.”

For more information about Friendly Faces or to volunteer, contact Cherella on 07930490816 or email friendlyfacesgroup.co.uk