SCHOOLBOY Josh Richter is nowhere near finished growing – but he has a bigger heart than many five times his age.

The 12-year-old from Penhill, who is no stranger to fundraising, is hoping to raise money for Prospect Hospice in memory of his great grandmother Cynthia Davies, who died following an illness in November 2011.

He also hopes to donate money to Great Ormond Street Hospital, Cancer Research UK and Sport Relief.

The Kingsdown School student said: “I just wanted to help people around the world so they can have a better life.

“My friend Sid Woolford’s cousin had to go to Great Ormond Street Hospital and he had to have lots of operations.

“I did something for Sport Relief last time so I wanted to do something again, and I raised £30 for that.”

The youngster plans to hold a sponsored run and a sponsored football match to raise the money.

He said: “I’m going to ask Swindon Town Football Club if they could do a sponsored football match.

“I’m also going to do a sponsored run around Coate Water. I’m going to go around as many times as I can, maybe about three times.”

The youngster plans on doing the run at the end of January or in early February, and is hoping to raise at least £50 for the cause.

In the past Josh has also raised money for Children in Need.

He said: “I watched it on the telly and I really wanted to have a go at raising some money myself.

“If people could sponsor me, I’d be really grateful as your generosity really will help to make a world of difference to people living incredibly tough lives.”

Josh’s mum, Lisa Davis, is incredibly proud of her son, who is the eldest of three boys.

The 34-year-old said: “I am so proud of him. He has been really good because he did Children in Need before and he wanted to do more.

“I think it is a really good idea as he has chosen charities which are really close to our hearts.

“We have had a lot of dealings with the hospice and so Prospect Hospice is a charity that’s close to my heart because my nan died of cancer and they were so supportive, “Great Ormond Street Hospital is something I’ve always liked to support.

“We see the adverts on the television and we feel so grateful for the life we have.

“Josh watches them too and he just really wants to help them. And he’s inspired his younger brothers too.”

To help Josh achieve his fundraising aims, you can give to his cause by visiting his Sport Relief page at my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/joshuafundraising14.