Rendcomb College pupil, nine-year-old Reuben Parker, spent his summer raising money for the victims of the Grenfell fire disaster.

On Wednesday, 14 June, the 23-storey Grenfell Tower, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, caught fire devastating the lives of many families and damaging the surrounding community in the process.

Over the summer, Year 5 pupil, Reuben, has been contributing to the British Red Cross Grenfell Tower Relief Fund by taking part in an Aquathlon at his local pool, the Sandford Parks Lido in Cheltenham, and baking and selling cupcakes and brownies. While not a regular swimmer, Reuben swam a total of 100m and ran 1300m, raising a grand total of £367 for the charity, exceeding his target of £300.

Speaking about the event, Reuben said: "It was really fun but really tough, but when I got stuck I just swapped to backstroke and I was fine!"

Reuben's mother, Sarah, has been working directly with the families and communities affected by the fire, including setting up the family and friends rest centres for bereaved families, which has provided much needed emotional support and counselling to Grenfell residents' families who suffered the loss of loved ones.

Sarah said: "Reuben has seen me at home in tears on a few occasions, so his motivation was very genuine.

"It was his first event and he's not the strongest of swimmers so it was quite an achievement for him."

Gavin Roberts, head of juniors at Rendcomb College, said: "Reuben has shown great compassion and determination to achieve his fundraising goals. At Rendcomb College our mission is for our pupils to be thoughtful, adventurous and ambitious both in and out of the classroom and Reuben has shown all of these characteristics in his charitable activities. Well done!"

Reuben is a regular fundraiser and every year he asks for donations to his JustGiving page instead of birthday presents with the aim of raising as much money for his given charity that year.