Pupil gives up computer games for lent

12:12pm Tuesday 19th February 2008

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PRISING children away from their video games can be a near-impossible task for parents.

So imagine the surprise when 10-year-old Tyler Smith said he was turning his back on his Wii console, Xbox and Nintendo DS for the Lent.

"We are extremely proud of him," said Tyler's mum, Dawn Smith, 32, from Brimscombe.

Lent derives from Jesus' retreat into the desert, where he fasted for 40 days and overcame temptation by the devil.

Today, the three traditional practices to be taken up with renewed vigour during Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Animal-loving Tyler, who helps look after the family's two rats, two rabbits and dog, is using his personal sacrifice to help a good cause - and has so far collected pledges of more than £80 for the RSPCA.

His mum Dawn, 32, said his kind act also has inspired his seven-year-old sister Talitha to give up sweets until Easter.

"He decided that he wanted to do it for animals," said mum-of-three Mrs Smith, who often takes Tyler along when dropping by at Stroud's RSPCA charity shop.

"We tried to get Talitha to give up ketchup but she couldn't do it but said would give up sweets instead."

Tyler, a Brimscombe School pupil and keen footballer who is a member of Golden Valley Rangers under-10s, broke two bones in his arm in September.

"He stopped playing football and going outside,' said Mrs Smith.

"He got stuck in a bit of a rut."