8-year-old Sheffield boy makes dozens of NHS keyrings to support key workers during coronavirus crisis

Kobi Myrie, an 8-year-old from Woodhouse, is selling hand-crafted NHS keyrings to raise money for the key public sector workers who are putting their lives at risk to battle the coronavirus.

The schoolboy, who is currently studying from home while lockdown continues, has created over 70 decorations out of hama beads – which are placed on a grid and then ironed together.

Kobi has now raised over £150 for the NHS by selling the keyrings, which take roughly 20 minutes to make, to his family and friends.

The 8-year-old was motivated to raise money for workers on the front line because his mum works at an NHS pharmacy.

Kobi said: "I decided to make them because it's very nice and I think it's caring because all the NHS workers have been working very hard to stop this virus.

"It makes me feel proud because it's people like my mum who are risking their life to help other people.”

Maria Braithwaite, 34, has been helping delivering the keyrings to people, by leaving them on their doorstep, while on her essential journey to work.

She explained how proud she is of Kobi for using his spare time to give something back to the public sector workers helping to keep the country running.

"It's very emotionally overwhelming, it's lovely, I'm very proud”, Maria said.

"He's very kind natured, he's always caring about his friends in school and looking out for other people.

“He's just such a lovely kid.”

This is not the first time Kobi has dedicated his time to charity work – last year, he raised over £600 for Cancer Research UK by not eating sugar for a month.

He plans to continue making the keyrings which show solidarity with NHS workers until lockdown is over.

Maria added: "It's just lovely that he understands and appreciates how hard people are working at such a young age.”