A YOUNG businessman from Stroud has notched up his first success, raising money for charity.

What makes 10-year-old Ben Wood’s achievement even more special is that the money-making scheme was all his own idea, and his stall at Callowell Primary School’s Summer Fete raised an impressive £266.30 for Stroud charity Allsorts.

Proud grandmother Dawn Wood explains: “Ben has cerebral palsy, and attends Callowell Primary. Every Wednesday he goes to the Allsorts ACE Club at Stratford Park for sports activities.

“We don’t know where he got the idea to raise money for Allsorts, but apparently he went up to the headmistress at school and asked for a table at the Summer Fete. He also told her that the school wouldn’t get the money: he was going to give it to Allsorts!”

With the table duly promised, Ben made loom bands – he’d been given the kit to help improve his fine motor skills – and sold them at the event, raising an incredible £266.30, which he then presented to the charity.

Dawn added: “He’s amazing! We were quite shocked that he thought this up and has raised such a fantastic amount, but very proud of him too.”

THE team at Allsorts, a charity for families who have children with disabilities or additional needs, would like to say at big thank you to Ben Wood for raising £260. Ben who attends Ace Club which is supported by Allsorts made and sold loom bands in aid of the charity and is set to have a stall at the Allsorts’ fete on August 30 at Stratford Park bandstand. “ It’s lovely to have someone so young do something so nice for us when there are so many other charities out there,” said Nikki Michael, project co-ordinator at Allsorts. “We would like to say thanks for his huge effort, we’re amazed that he raised so much money from selling loom bands. We’re very grateful.”