A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy was so moved by the plight of starving children in Africa that he has decided to stage a fundraising event to help them.

James Black, of Shotton Colliery, County Durham, makes cards and jewellery and plans to stage a craft fair in aid of charity.

His grandmother, Muriel Peters, said: “I am so proud of James. He has arranged this entirely by himself. It came completely out of the blue.

“We were sitting watching television when they showed footage of the famine in Africa and he was in tears.

“He said to me ‘they are kids like me grandma. I want to do something to help them’. I raise funds for the church myself and offered to help.

“He wanted to organise the event himself and for the last two weeks has been thinking about it and planning it.

“He makes his own cards, which will be sold on the day, as well as jewellery. I will be helping by making cakes and lollipops.

“There will be a variety of stalls aimed mostly at children, but everyone is welcome.”

James, who lives with his 12-year-old brother, Connor, and mother, Susan Peters, said: “I was watching the television show Born to Shine .

“The show that inspired me showed the starving children in Africa. And it said that with a donation of only £5 you could save a family.

“I was quite upset by what they are going through and decided to do something to help.”

James, who attends Shotton Primary School, added: “I make cards and jewellery, including bracelets with beads.

“My grandmother has helped out by making lollipops and cakes and we will have a raffle as well.”

The fair will be in Jack Turnbull Hall, Shotton Colliery, from 11am to 1pm on Wednesday, August 31.

All funds raised will be donated to Save the Children.

To donate a raffle prize or inquire about a stall, call Mrs Peters on 0191-526-1671.