FUTURE young apprentice Joseph Oakley has been busy using his entrepreneurial skills to raise money to help develop Burlish Park Primary School’s new forest school in the spirit of Christmas giving.

After seeing the development of the new area at his Stourport school, Joseph was upset to learn that there was not enough money to buy the trees needed to complete it.

But instead of waiting for funds to be made available to the school, Joseph used his initiative and spent £20 he had saved up for Christmas gifts on some soft toys to sell on with the hope that the profit would be enough to purchase trees to give to the school.

His mother, Gemma Oakley, said Joseph has so far more than quintupled his investment.

She said: “He wanted to do something nice for the forest school teacher for Christmas and he had been saving money to buy Christmas presents but decided to buy teddy bears to sell to people at school - one teddy for one tree. So far he has raised £110 with the sale of the teddies and donations.

“He doesn't even want the money back which he used to buy the teddies in the first place. He told me that this is the true meaning of Christmas - helping others.”

Lynda Williams, forest school leader, had no idea about the fundraising plot until the pupil turned up at the school on the last day of term before breaking up for Christmas with the trees.

She said: “I had no idea Joe was doing this until I was presented with a rather large horse chestnut tree along with some bare-rooted hawthorne, dogwood and hazel on the last day of term. Tied to the horse chestnut tree were numerous Christmas tags with messages of support from people who had purchased a soft toy.

“I was so touched, not only by the presentation of the trees and messages of support, but by the fact that it had all been Joe’s own idea to use his Christmas money to finance this business venture. Joe has really made my Christmas and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead of creating a magical outdoor learning space for children to enjoy.

“Joseph Valente was the winner of The Apprentice 2015 but I shall definitely be contacting Lord Sugar to tell him to look out for a Mr Joseph Oakley when looking for a new business partner in the future.”

The Burlish Fundraising Group (The BFG) also surprised Mrs Williams by presenting her with a cheque for £1,000 to boost funds.

Anyone who wishes to donate further to Joseph’s fundraising can do so in the new year directly to the school. The school are also appealing for some help with landscaping the forest school area.

Anyone wishing to help or donate should contact Lynda Williams on 01299 823771.