Meet the Hartlepool youngster who fundraised when he heard charities were struggling under the coronavirus

A caring Hartlepool boy sprang into action when he heard charities were struggling for funds during the UK-wide lockdown.
Lewin Tubuna who has raised hundreds of pounds for Alice House Hospice.Lewin Tubuna who has raised hundreds of pounds for Alice House Hospice.
Lewin Tubuna who has raised hundreds of pounds for Alice House Hospice.

Lewin Tubuna, 11, decided he had to do something to help Alice House Hospice in the town during the coronavirus.

So he used initiative and came up with an online raffle which sold all 100 tickets in just 90 minutes.

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And at £5 a go, with the chance of winning Ray Ban sunglasses, Lewin raised £500.

Back to 2018 when Lewin was the winner of the Child of Achievement trophy at the Best of Hartlepool Awards.Back to 2018 when Lewin was the winner of the Child of Achievement trophy at the Best of Hartlepool Awards.
Back to 2018 when Lewin was the winner of the Child of Achievement trophy at the Best of Hartlepool Awards.

That’s not all. He has another planned fundraiser in a matter of days.

All this came about after Lewin’s planned charity effort of climbing the three Yorkshire Peaks was put on hold because of the lockdown.

Proud mum Lynsey Tubuna said: “Lewin was starting to worry in case he couldn’t do the challenge and he has seen in various news articles that charities are struggling in these difficult times.

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“He wanted to do something to raise money and we had previously been donated a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses by Boots opticians.

Lewin Tubuna, 9, pictured at the end of his 2018 Coast to Coast cycle ride which raised more than £2,800 for Alice House Hospice.Lewin Tubuna, 9, pictured at the end of his 2018 Coast to Coast cycle ride which raised more than £2,800 for Alice House Hospice.
Lewin Tubuna, 9, pictured at the end of his 2018 Coast to Coast cycle ride which raised more than £2,800 for Alice House Hospice.

“So he came up with the idea of doing a virtual raffle at £5 a number. I posted a video of Lewin on Facebook where he told everyone what he was doing and within an hour and half, all numbers were sold and he raised £500.

“We were over the moon with the response and the generosity of everyone. It was amazing.”

Lewin is no stranger to helping others. He was only nine years old when he cycled 150 miles in three days ... and got back home on his 10th birthday in August 2018.

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He raised more than double his initial target of £2,500 as the word spread of his phenomenal efforts.

But Lewin is not done yet with his lockdown fundraising.

Mum Lynsey said: “We will be doing another virtual raffle again in aid of Alice House to raffle off some Easter Eggs that we have had donated.”

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Alice House Hospice posted about Lewin's amazing achievements during the coronavirus in a social media post.

It said: “Inspirational 11 year old Lewin Tubuna found out that charities were struggling in these uncertain times, so he organised to raffle a pair of Ray Ban Sunglasses and has raised a fantastic £500!

Very well done Lewin and thank you for your amazing support! You are a star!”

Do you know of someone who has gone to amazing lengths to help others during the coronavirus? Tell us more by emailing [email protected] or visiting the Hartlepool Mail Facebook page.

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