A YOUNG fundraiser has been recognised by a supermarket as he aims to raise funds to help cash-strapped families.

Freddie Brannan is hoping to raise £500 in a bid keep families on the bread line fed this winter.

The nine-year-old fundraiser regularly gives £20 of his pocket money each month in order to buy food for the Witham Hub.

So far he has given £250 of his funds to the charity.

But the youngster was inspired to do more after hearing some people will struggle to survive this winter.

While getting ready for school, Freddie, from Witham, was “mortified to hear on the news some people could be forced to choose between heating their homes or buying food.

Asking the Witham Hub to help him raise money to help families have heating, Freddie has so far raised £315, but aims to hit the £500 mark.

And the actual number raised may already be higher with a number of collection buckets also stationed around the town.

The kind-hearted youngster has also received a Morrisons community award for his good deeds.

Staff at the shop, who had heard of Freddie’s fundraising work, decided to give him the community award.

After school, Freddie visited the Witham store and was presented with a hamper.

A keen footballer, goalie and Arsenal fan, the hamper contained all kinds of football related items.

Freddie said: “I regularly use my pocket money to buy food for the Witham Hub to give to struggling families.

“I watched the news and it really upset me to see people saying they might have to choose between heating their homes over eating so with the help of the hub we have set up this fundraiser.”

“This money will be used to buy food for those who are struggling.”

Freddie’s mum Jackie Brannan says she is incredibly proud of her selfless son.

She said: “He has been going to Iceland for the past year to buy food for the hub and he really thinks about what he’s buying.

“He was mortified to hear people might not have food or heating, he panicked about people not having what they need.

“He was really embarrassed to get the award. He didn’t know he was getting it and his trousers were covered in mud when he left school. We are proud, I mean if it was your child, you’d just think ‘Wow’.”

To donate, visit totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/FreddiesHeatANDEat.