An inspirational schoolboy from Letterkenny has raised over €1,500 for children in need via a mysterious donation box.
James Curran (10) is the son of Jaycee’s XL shop owners Seamus Curran and Sharon Blake.
Last summer, a large jar appeared on the counter of the popular Long Lane shop. The writing simply said ‘Children in Need’.
James’ parents didn’t know what his goals were at first, but it soon emerged that he simply wanted to make a difference to other young people’s lives.
Customers soon got to know James’ story and the donations built up in the ‘mystery jar’.
The mystery charity box
As the jar became too heavy to lift, James consulted with the other children of the Long Lane area to decide to donate the money to Mary’s Meals and to a children’s cancer charity.Father Eamonn Kelly was happy to get involved and help James count up the total amount – which has reached over €1,500. This would equate to helping over 100 children through Mary’s Meals.
Young James has been praised as a ‘great wee man’ for his charity efforts.
Fr Kelly and James Curran. Photo: Jaycee’s XL Long Lane Letterkenny
His mum Sharon told Donegal Daily: “James is an only child and he is constantly thinking about other people. He is a very thoughtful young fellow.
“We don’t know where his idea came from but he watches Children in Need every year. He got the children of the Long Lane involved to decide on where the money would go. He was adamant that it would go towards helping children,” Sharon added.
Sharon said this show of kindness is a true reflection of the Long Lane community, as so many locals supported the initiative.
“The Long Lane is a great community, the kids have been great and everyone was happy to support when they got to know the story,” she said.
Now, one community will be helping another as part of the total will be used to feed schoolchildren in some of the world’s poorest communities.
And James is currently considering which Irish children’s cancer charity will benefit from the second donation.
“We are privileged to call him our son,” said Sharon. “The shop is named after James – Jay Cee – and he’s the main man here.”
