An inspiring Ayrshire schoolboy has provided a lifeline to those sleeping rough this winter.
Six-year-old star Charlie McLean has made a special delivery of his own ‘care packages’ which are set to help tens of homeless people across Scotland.
The Prestwick lad has clocked off on an incredible four weeks – which saw him collect 90 bags of essentials, including winter warmers, toiletries and vital supplies.
Last week, Charlie, made his first of his Ayrshire deliveries to an organisation which supports those in crisis – and without a roof over their heads.
Charlie dropped off a haul of 30 care packages to the Riverside Community Trust in Ayr to go straight towards local individuals in need.
More bags are set to go to Ayrshire causes SeAscape and Wheels in Motion, with the remaining bags being sent to Glasgow.
Proud mum Victoria McLean, 26, has told how Charlie was delighted with his result.
She told Ayrshire Live: “He’s over the moon, he’s buzzing about it.
“To get 90 bags and he started it less than four weeks is absolutely incredible and we’re just so incredibly proud of him.
“It’s the Christmas holidays and he’s just spending his full day packing his bags.”
We previously told how Charlie wanted to help the homeless after first noticing their hardship and difficult conditions three years ago on a family trip to Glasgow.
Those memories of seeing people suffering on the streets sparked Charlie’s 2022 Christmas mission – as he selflessly vowed to make a difference.
With a little help from his dad Allan McLean’s plastering business as well as producing his own campaign posters – Charlie started to receive incredible backing.
Donations poured in with the family’s Prestwick home being inundated with scarves, gloves, refillable water bottles.
And an online fundraiser helped bring in £1,585 to help towards more goods.
Charlie went along with mum Victoria, dad Allan, 31, and little sister Kodie, 4, to hand in the donations into grateful staff at the Riverside Community Trust.
Bruce Bunten, Co-ordinator for the Riverside Community Trust said: “It is just fantastic what Charlie has done. People will really appreciate it especially the fact that it is from someone so young, some adults don’t even think that way.
“We’ll distribute the bags over the next few weeks – we’ll let them know Charlie donated.
“These people just have what is on their back, they don’t have a lot at all, anything to keep them warm, even some food, it will make a huge difference. It really is a lifeline in the winter months.
“He’s a lovely lad, and it was nice him and his family, they are really kind and generous people.”
Charlie has been spurred on by the success of his Christmas mission and has vowed to go again next year.
Victoria added: “He’ll be back next year and will be even bigger.
“He already says he wants to start in October to give people more chance to donate and help even more people.”
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