Tech-mad Hackney boy goes screen-free for Lent
Reuben Carter surrounded by screens - Credit: Archant
Many youngsters give up chocolate and sweets for Lent, but one tech-mad 10-year-old boy has decided to go the extra mile this year.
Reuben Carter surrounded by screens - Credit: Archant
Reuben Carter, from Stoke Newington, has pledged to raise money for Refugee Action this Easter by going without screens outside of school.
He said: “I’m pretty obsessed with my computer and iPod so I’ve decided to set myself the challenge of giving up screens for Lent to raise money for refugees.
“Do you think I can last the whole 40 days?”
Reuben first got the idea when his sister, eight, asked him what he was giving up.
He told the Gazette: “My sister was asking me what Lent is and I said: ‘It’s when Christians give up something difficult, like me giving up screens.’
“That’s when I thought it would be a good idea for me to do it to help the migrants, since they’re going through a tough time right now.”
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Reuben, a pupil at Grazebrook Primary School, says he’s had a mixed response since telling his friends.
“Some of my friends think I can do it but some of them think I can’t. It’s hard but a good challenge and it’s great because I get to spend more time with my family.”
His mum, Rebecca Carter, 43, expressed shock at her son’s generosity.
She told the Gazette: “He’s a relatively shy child so I was very surprised he decided to do this sort of thing – but he’s exceeded expectations.
“There’s been a lot more Lego, but it’s been amazing. He’s raised more than his target already.
“I think he got the idea to give the money to the refugees from his brother who is really into politics and he must have seen something in the news. He’s so obsessed with screens and the whole week before the start of Lent he had to wean himself off them.
“He’s really improved his communications and we have more conversations now, which is great.”
Reuben has raised £467.60, almost double his initial £250 target and has no plans of stopping.
One supporter wrote on his fundraising page: “Very impressed by your challenge. I wish you a lot of strength to keep it up! Very worthy cause and what a fantastic role model for your fellow mates!”
Visit justgiving.com/ReubenCarter to support Reuben’s challenge.
