TWO YOUNG brothers are appealing for Christmas goodies to give to less fortunate Petersfield children.

Ten-year-old Luke Tully and eight-year-old Joe, of Bepton Down, are in Years 3 and 6 respectively at Herne Junior School and are asking for donations of chocolate selection boxes, boxes of biscuits and other goodies.

These will be given to the Salvation Army Chapel in Swan Street to be handed out to families who are facing a lean Christmas.

The boys’ mother Julie said: “I am friends with Linda Reed at the Salvation Army and about four years ago started collecting stuff for their Christmas appeal, and now the boys are involved.”

The boys have arranged for goodie collection points at their school, and at The Gift Boutique in the Folly Market.

But collecting goodie boxes isn’t the full extent of the brothers’ fundraising activities.

Julie said: “They have both donated ten shoe boxes of Christmas things to their school appeal, and the school has also been very supportive of the boys’ appeal.

“They have also filled several shoeboxes for the Petersfield Post’s Christmas Appeal.

“And they are taking part in a five mile walk next March to raise money for The Royal Marsden Hospital in memory of their auntie who died of cancer in February this year.

“They are both really quite compassionate boys.”

Joe has also completed a seven mile walk along Southsea seafront to raise money for two friends who have severe autism; his brother has been diagnosed with a milder form of the condition.

Julie added: “Joe wanted to raise money for his friends, but also raise awareness about autism.

“I think their willingness to help others comes from their grandparents who were both involved in fundraising and volunteering for charities, and that got passed on to me and the boys.”

Christmas goodies for the Tully brothers’ Salvation Army Appeal can either be dropped in to the chapel in Swan Street, or The Gift Boutique in the Folly Market, before the end of this month.