MK Citizen paper boy drums up hundreds of pounds to help Milton Keynes Hospital

Ollie Simpson, who is 14, has been playing the drums since he was six years old.

He joined the air cadets as soon as he was able and started to learn military style drumming to be in their band.

"I decided to drum on a Thursday during the NHS clap and each week more of our neighbours have come out to join in," he said.

Ollie's drumming became so popular with his Bletchley neighbours that he decided to buy a better drum to replace the old toy one he was using.

But he only had £38 - money he had saved from his paper round delivering the MK Citizen - which is currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

His mum Tracy asked on local Facebook sites if if anyone had a proper snare drum they would consider selling to him.

"The generosity of people was overwhelming and several people contacted us and wanted to buy him a drum," she said.

Within days a new snare drum arrived and grateful Ollie promptly vowed to donated his £38 savings to the Milton Keynes Hospital Charity.

Then, with the help of his mum, he set up a JustGiving page with the aim of raising £1000 for the charity. Already the page has generated more than £790.

Ollie, who is a member of the 2366 Bletchley Park Squadron Air Cadets, was last week invited to the Milton Keynes Community Hospital on Whalley drive, Bletchley to drum for all the nurses and care teams.

He has also been nominated for a Local Hero award by his local West Bletchley Council.

MK Citizen's head of news Damien Lucas said: "Ollie is doing an amazing job. We are proud to have him as a Milton Keynes Citizen paper boy."

You can donate to Ollie's fundraising page here.