Inspired by billionaire John Caudwell : a 7 year old’s decision sparks a wave of generosity
Wednesday 18 December, 2024In an extraordinary act of generosity, 7-year-old James “JC” Connor has shown the true spirit of Christmas by choosing to donate a special prize to raise funds for his school, rather than keep it for himself. His selfless act serves as a heartwarming reminder of the power of giving during the holiday season.
Instead of accepting a private suite to the Disney on Ice event at the O2 Arena—a VIP experience his parents won through a charity auction—JC decided to raffle it off and donate the proceeds to his school. Inspired by his parents, Stephen and Ha Smith, who recently joined the John Caudwell’s Philanthropy Group, The Life Changers Circle, JC was motivated to make a difference in his community.
“We won the private suite at a charity auction aimed at raising funds for supporting care workers, and we thought JC would love to invite his friends,” said his father, Stephen Smith. “But when he told us he wanted to use it to raise money for his school, we were truly amazed.”
JC’s passion for philanthropy began when he was elected by his class mates to become a school councillor. At his first meeting, he learned that the school needed a new climbing frame for the younger students. Inspired by this, JC decided to raise the necessary funds.
“He came home and told me that the Reception Year children needed a new climbing frame, and he was determined to raise the money for it,” said his mother, Ha Smith. “We are so proud of his initiative.”
Instead of keeping the highly coveted prize, JC chose to raffle it off to help others. “I saw my parents helping others, and I wanted to do something special for my school too. It feels really good to help people,” said JC.
And this is not the first time that young JC has looked to support his school. Last year he helped organise a group of children from the school to participate in an opening event with Queen Camilla which ended with JC handing Camilla a posy of flowers.
The funds raised through the raffle will directly support educational programs, school supplies, and extracurricular activities at Our Lady & St John’s (OLSJ) Primary School, ensuring that all students have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.
The raffle prize—a private suite at the much-anticipated Disney on Ice show at the O2 Arena—was highly sought after. Despite the initial temptation to keep it for himself, JC chose to offer it to others, with all proceeds benefiting his school. His selflessness and determination have left a lasting impact on both his peers and the local community.
"The Life Changers Circle focuses on a number of children-based charities but also acts as as a catalyst to inspire the next generation to make meaningful contributions to society, and so we couldn’t be prouder of our son for embodying these values," said Stephen and Ha Smith, who recently joined the Circle. "Seeing him choose to help others, even when it meant sacrificing something he really wanted, is a true testament to the power of giving."
John Caudwell, founder of The Life Changers Circle, praised JC’s generosity. “In these challenging times, charity is more important than ever, and JC’s selflessness is an example for us all,” he said.
Not stopping there, JC asked his parents to create a JustGiving page to raise additional funds. To date, he has raised an impressive £5,630, with contributions from family, friends, and the local community. When added to the monies that JC has raised through the Raffle he will have raised well over £7000 for the school that he loves so much.
This heartfelt gesture has caught the attention of the local community, with many praising JC for his mature understanding of generosity at such a young age. His school’s principal, Mrs. Cunningham, expressed admiration for his actions.
“We are incredibly proud of James Connor for demonstrating such a powerful message about the importance of giving, especially at a time when we are reminded of how essential it is to support one another. His actions inspire us all to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas,” said Mrs. Cunningham.
In a world often focused on materialism, JC stands as a beacon of kindness. His parents expressed their pride in their son’s compassionate decision, saying, “We are so proud of JC for choosing to help others. It’s moments like these that remind us all of the importance of kindness and giving back.”
This Christmas, James Connor has reminded us that the greatest gifts are those that come from the heart. His actions serve as a beautiful example of how one person’s decision to put others first can spark a wave of goodwill and generosity.
For more information or to contribute, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jc
About James ConnorJames “JC” Connor is a 7-year-old student at Our Lady & St John’s Primary School in Brentford, West London, known for his infectious enthusiasm and big heart. This Christmas, he has made a significant impact through his selfless fundraising efforts, proving that even the youngest among us can make a world of difference.
About The Life Changers CircleIn 2020, while the world was in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic, John Caudwell launched The Life-Changers Circle. The idea was to bring together an intimate group of philanthropists and dedicated humanitarians who share his and his family’s passion to use their privileged resources to make a difference to people’s lives. Membership of The Life-Changers Circle is strictly by invite only but to find out more contact Jo-Ann D’Costa-Manuel by emailing jo@caudwell.com. For more information about Caudwell Children see https://www.caudwellchildren.com. For more information about Caudwell Youth see https://www.caudwellyouth.org.
About Our Lady & St John’s Primary SchoolOur Lady & St John’s Primary School is a Catholic faith school based in Brentford, West London. It is consistently ranked among the top 5% of performing schools in the UK and has an outstanding track record of academic achievement. For more information about the school please see https://www.ourladyandstjohns.org.uk or email : admin@stjohnrc.hounslow.sch.uk
PRESS CONTACT: Stephen Smith, stephen.smith@jcfutures.co.uk, 07935 754250
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