A CARING youngster who wants to help Ukrainians fleeing for their lives is lacing his shoes to undertake a marathon effort.

Selfless Oscar Neill, who is only six, originally wanted to sell his toys to support people in the disaster-struck country, but has now decided to channel his inner Captain Tom.

Inspired by the war veteran who raised more than £30million for the NHS, young Oscar will be circumnavigating his home of Mersea Island – a total of 13 miles – as he bids to play his own part.

His mum, Kirsty said her caring youngster, who attends Mersea Island School, had been left upset hearing what’s going on in Ukraine and approached her to ask how he could help them.

She said: “My husband and I have been trying to protect from the news as he’s been getting upset hearing about it all.

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“We’ve had to make a conscious effort to ensure we minimise what he hears but he’s had a lot of questions which he has needed reassuring about.

“He got very upset and tearful and said he wanted to help but doesn’t know what to do.

“He asked if he could sell all of his toys to ‘save them’ but in the end, thanks to his obsession with Captain Tom, he decided to do a walk and he’s adamant he wants to do it – despite the distance.”

Kirsty, who is a teacher, explained since the fundraiser launched, Oscar has been delighted as he watched donations pour in.

“This is just something lovely which has come out of something horrible,” she added.

“Oscar is a caring, empathetic little boy who is thoughtful and kind.

“He’s absolutely over the moon with each and every donation. He doesn’t understand the value of money so any amount he celebrates, it makes him really happy he’s doing something to help.

“I think every little helps and if we all do what we can to help then that’s all we can ever ask of people.

“Oscar understands what’s going on in the world and he just wants to try and play his own little part.”

You can support Oscar here.