A generous pair of birthday boys have taken the unusual step of turning down presents this year.

Generous - birthday boys Harry Sheeran and Charlie May asked for any presents to be in the form of donations for the tsunami disaster appeal. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK (40379-1)

Instead of a stack of gifts from friends, they asked that donations should be made to the tsunami disaster appeal.

Charlie May and Harry Sheeran, who both live in West Mersea, celebrated their eighth birthdays with a joint party at the weekend

But they had specifically asked each of the 20 guests not to get them presents.

They came up with the idea of having donations instead after watching harrowing television reports of the disaster unfolding across Asia since Boxing Day.

Andy May, Charlie's dad, said he and Harry's parents had asked the boys if they wanted to do something to help and they came up with the idea of passing up presents this year.

"For an eight-year-old to do that, I was very impressed but I think the pictures on the television brought it home to them."

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Published Monday, January 10, 2005

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