AN OSWESTRY youngster has received civic praise for helping to raise money for a young boy with an eating disorder.

Theo Lewis-Prior, who is Year 6 at Woodside Primary School, climbed Mount Snowdon with support from his mother Jazmine Roberts and step-father Luke Roberts.

But he was also joined in the fundraising by Oswestry mayor Councillor Jay Moore and his partner Poppy, and he was full of praise for the young adventurer.

Cllr Moore said: “Theo, who had just left Year 5 of primary school, decided to help when he found out a five-year-old from his school had a condition called avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, which means he can’t face textures, smells or the look of certain foods.

“The boy’s family was trying to raise £5,000 for him to attend a two-year programme of monthly therapy to help him cope with food.

“Theo started with a bake sale at school, and in fewer than two weeks had raised more than £500.

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“He then challenged me on social media to agree to walk Snowdon with him if his fundraising hit the lofty target of £1,200.

“As you can see from the picture, he clearly smashed that target.

“The weather was kind, and Theo pushed through the fatigue and summited his first-ever mountain.

“The boy has since received the funding and treatment he needed, thanks in large part to Theo's efforts.

“Being able to be a small part of their journey has been a huge highlight of my time as mayor.

“I'm really proud of them. 

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Theo’s mum Jazmine Roberts said she was full of love for her son’s efforts, and added that he was able to develop his own confidence by helping others.

“I’m really proud of him for managing to do this,” she said.

“You see the best in your children all the time but this is the Theo that I see at home.

“I wasn’t climbing mountains when I was 10 – I was going to the shop for sweets.

“But Theo is so caring and thoughtful of other people and we’re so glad for it.

“It was great to see his confidence grow as he realised that what he was doing could help someone.

“It was great to see him realise he could make a difference to someone’s life.”