MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Super Charlie”, 7 year-old from London collects £ 200.000 for Haiti

Charlie Simpson congratulated by Sarah Brown at 10 Downing Street

Seven-year-old Charlie Simpson, from west London, met on Wednesday British Prime Minister's wife at 10 Downing Street after raising more than £200,000 for earthquake victims in Haiti.

Sarah Brown personally congratulated him on his fund-raising achievements after bicycling five miles around his local park in Fulham.

He was supposed to have met Gordon Brown, but the PM is still in Northern Ireland after a second, unscheduled night there trying to resolve devolution talks.

But Mr Brown issued a statement, saying: “Charlie's dedication in raising money for the victims of the Haiti earthquake is truly inspirational and a shining example of the kind of friendship, goodness, and compassion so often shown by British people.”

Charlie, who said his legs were not “too achy”, rode his bike in Downing Street this morning before being met at the famous front door by Mrs Brown.

“It was very fun going to the Prime Minister's house and meeting Sarah Brown,” he said. “I cycled my bike down Downing Street and even a bit inside. I liked talking to the boys about riding our bikes.”

Unicef said he had now raised more than £200,000 for their emergency appeal for children in Haiti. Unicef's executive director for the UK, David Bull, said: “Charlie is a real inspiration to us all and it was fantastic to see his tremendous efforts recognised by Downing Street.

”Nearly half of the population in Haiti are children and the money that Charlie has raised will help Unicef to make sure that the children affected by the earthquake have enough food and water to survive, as well as being able to have somewhere safe to stay and being able to fulfil their right to get an education, despite the destruction that has occurred.

“We're so grateful to everyone who has supported Charlie or has been fundraising themselves.”

Donations can still be made at www.justgiving.com/CharlieSimpson-HAITI.