7-year-old receives award from Mayor of St Helens after work to help the homeless

Since an emotional advert struck a chord during lockdown in 2020, Toby Unwin, from Newton-le-Willows, has committed to numerous projects with a desire to help others.

After saving up his pocket money for children's charities and making sure his family donated essential items to refugees, Toby began to take a keen interest in helping the homeless in St Helens.

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Toby helped to collect dozens of food and essential items for the homeless

At Christmastime, the Unwin family donated food packages and toys to St Helens-based charity Teardrops to support those on the streets.

However, as Toby has autism, his mum Shell said this is a subject that he "would not let go" and wanted to do more to help the vulnerable people.

After Shell put out a social media appeal, their home quickly became flooded with food, toiletries, and essential items.

Collecting items from residents and local supermarkets, Toby and his mum have become familiar faces at Teardrops as they regularly drop off donations to go to the homeless.

Toby with his award at the Town Hall

In awe of Toby's charitable work, Mayor of St Helens Sue Murphy invited the seven-year-old to meet her at the Town Hall on Tuesday, August 16.

Here she presented the youngster with the Mayor's Good Citizen Award, which recognises the selfless and charitable work that people do across the community.

Shell said: "Myself and Toby's dad thought the mayor invited him to just say well done for helping the homeless, but when she presented him with his award we were so surprised.

"Toby was so proud and amazed. He's done a couple of collections and dropped them off at Teardrops who always make him feel welcome."

Toby wants to continue helping the homeless and children in need

Continuing his focus on helping the homeless, Toby said he wants to expand his project and work to help children in need.