Little Hartlepool hero Harry raises hundreds with his handmade poppies

Harry, aged eight, has made hundreds of the red flowers out of coloured card for people to display in their window for a small donation.

He began making the poppies to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day at the height of the coronavirus lockdown in May.

Harry’s mum Joanne Fletcher explained: “We started making them for VE Day when Harry was struggling a bit with what was happening with Covid and he was worried about his friends and teachers.

"He put them in the window and it took his mind off it.”

At remembrance time, Harry loves to get involved in the local Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Sunday parade.

But due to the Covid restrictions he decided to sell his poppies for £1 each with all the proceeds going to the Royal British Legion.

He set himself a target of raising £20 but has so far raised well over £600 after being inundated with orders.

Joanne, of Bishop Cuthbert, added: “He physically made a hundred poppies. A lot of neighbours have been asking for them.

"I put something on the estate’s Facebook page and everyone has been contacting us for them including some businesses.”

Children and staff at Throston Primary School, where Harry goes, have also snapped a number up even though they had to be kept in quarantine for a certain time period.

Then to speed up his production line, Harry hit upon the idea of printing his design off and laminating them.

All of the family has been helping including brother Lewis, 13, big sister Alice, 25, and dad Stephen.

The Printers, in Murray Street, has lent its support by printing them at no charge and even opening up specially to run more off.

Joanne added: “It’s crazy how all the local people have come together just to help him.

"It has boosted his confidence and to be honest it has taken all our minds off Covid which is a good thing.”

Harry has a JustGiving page for any donations called Harrys Poppy Sale.

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