EIGHT-year-old Niall McTigue wanted to help the guide dogs charity so much that he decided to sell some of his toys.

EIGHT-year-old Niall McTigue wanted to help the guide dogs charity so much that he decided to sell some of his toys.

The youngster took part in a car boot sale, selling old toys, CDs and items people had donated - and raised �44 for the Evening Star appeal to pay for guide dog puppy Star's breeding and training.

Niall, a pupil at Trimley St Mary Primary School, said he had decided to raise the money after he met trainee guide dogs brought along to his school as part of an event to explain the dogs' vital work in acting as the eyes of a blind or visually-impaired person.

He gathered together items to sell at the car boot held by the 1st Kirton Scouts at Kirton Recreation Ground.

“I just wanted to help,” said Niall, who lives with his mum and dad, Hazel and Adrian, and brothers Aaron, 13, and Curtis, 15, at Red House Close, Trimley St Martin.

“I gave some of my toys which I had stopped playing with, and we had a scooter which was given to us, some football socks and hats, skateboard helmets, and CDs.

“We got �44 and I was very pleased because I wanted to get as much as I could for the guide dogs.”

Star's puppy walker Penny Parker said: “It was a fantastic effort and we cannot thank Niall enough - the charity makes the best use of every penny it receives to carry out the work it does to help people with sight problems.”

The appeal has so far raised more than �20,000.

To donate to the appeal, send cheques made payable to Guide Dogs to Richard Cornwell, Felixstowe Editor, Evening Star, 172 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7DU, or organise a fundraising event and let us know so we can help with publicity.