A FAMILY trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival inspired a schoolboy to get on his bike for charity.
Teddy Brown Swan, along with mum Coree and dad Alex, travelled into the Capital earlier this year.
And it was while there that the seven-year-old came across homeless people and the idea of doing something to help soon followed.
The Haddington youngster took part in Social Bite’s 100 Mile Challenge and crossed the finish line earlier this month
The charity was set up in a bid to tackle homelessness and Teddy said: “I noticed that there were people asking for money on the street.
“I thought they looked really sad and I wanted to help them – everyone deserves to be happy.
“I asked my mummy and daddy how we could help.”
When he’s not in primary three at Haddington Primary School, Teddy likes to build things with Lego.
His most recent model was a Star Wars spaceship of his own invention.
However, one of his main hobbies is cycling with his family and it was that love of two wheels that formed the basis of the fundraiser, where he raised more than £600.
His mum, who is a lecturer at the University of Stirling, said: “We were in town for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and he was really worried about the number of people he saw on the street and wasn’t sure how best to help.
“I saw the announcement about 100 Mile Challenge and he was immediately on board.”
Despite his young age, Teddy had identified some of the key issues of homelessness.
He said: “I know that not having a home can be quite sad and people might not have enough money to be able to pay for a safe home.
“Everyone deserves to have a good home, to have a good house, which is safe and warm.
“Everyone should be protected – not sleeping out in the cold.”
The youngster not only cycled to and from school but pedalled along the Pencaitland Railway Walk and the Dalkeith to Penicuik Railway Walk.
Teddy thanked everyone who had donated and encouraged other people to do what they could to tackle homelessness.
His proud mum said: “Teddy’s a kindly wee soul and super aware of what’s going on in the world.
“So we were really thrilled to see this opportunity to help raise money while doing something that Teddy loves so much – cycling!”
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