TWO boys carrying out their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award have been praised for raising nearly £1,500 for Oswestry’s Hope House.

William Jones and Josh Stevenson raised £1,428.18 for Hope House as part of the charity work needed to help pass their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

William’s Dad Steve owns Winston’s Farm, near Ellesmere, said the boys worked each weekend for two months at his biggest events, fetching and carrying pumpkins and Christmas trees, to earn the biggest donated sum by the business.

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And he added that he was incredibly proud of them after they delivered a cheque for the money to the Morda-based children’s hospice.

“It’s part of their Bronze award so they both had to do the charity work and they worked very hard – I’m proud of them both,” said Steve.

“It was all carried out here at Winston Farm when we sold the pumpkins – we made and sold the pumpkin soup and they helped serve it.

“Also, at Christmas they helped our customers carry their trees to the car and they also helped the kids feed the reindeers.

“They really committed to what they were doing – they worked really hard together.

“They were in Whittington Primary School together but despite going to different secondary schools – Josh to Lakelands and William to Oswestry School – they’ve stayed good friends.

“They’re doing their award and needed something to do so they gave up every weekend in October and in December too.”

Steve said he was struck by their willingness to work hard and that visitors to the site – of all ages – were really impressed with their efforts.

He added: “It makes me very proud because they stuck at it because they were there every weekend in October and December and in all weathers too.

“We all know how wet and cold it has been and they were every weekend.

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“I think they learned the value of hard work and graft, and they enjoyed seeing the faces on the little children when they gave them the moss to feed them.

“They talked to them and I could tell they enjoyed being around a lovely atmosphere – I could tell they were enjoying it.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone who has donated – we’ve raised money for Hope House before but this is the most we’ve earned so it shows how much people appreciated them pushing the wheelbarrow through the mud.”