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Big-hearted boys give holiday cash to help disabled Meopham youngster targeted by conman Robert Harvey

Caleb and Toby Mitchell, seven and nine, with their money jar
Caleb and Toby Mitchell, seven and nine, with their money jar

One bad penny didn't stop these young lads doing a good turn by donating their summer holiday money to a disabled child.

Vigo Village School pupils Toby and Caleb Mitchell gave their pocket money to little Harry Smith after hearing about how he was targeted by a conman.

The five-year-old, of New Street Road, Meopham, suffers from a missing chromosome syndrome and is unable to walk or talk.

His parents – Jenny Lawrence, 27, and her 26-year-old partner Joe Smith – set up a fund to help him, but were then targeted by a conman.

When Toby, nine, and seven-year-old Caleb discovered Robert Harvey, 53, of Elmwood Road, Chattenden, had pocketed cash he said he was raising for Harry, they were angry.

Toby said: "I thought I could donate mine and Caleb's money jar to help.

"It was our holiday money because it was all pennies we'd use in the arcade machines."

They handed the money in at Vigo Post Office where a collection tin had been put to help little Harry. In total, they donated £11.42.

Toby and Caleb Mitchell with mum Kelly Mitchell, Harry’s mum Jenny Lawrence, and Harry with his nans Susan Smith and Christine Lawrence
Toby and Caleb Mitchell with mum Kelly Mitchell, Harry’s mum Jenny Lawrence, and Harry with his nans Susan Smith and Christine Lawrence

Mother Kellie, 37, said: "I was going to change it up and share it between their piggy banks, but when they read about it they said ‘we can give that to the little boy’ and I asked them if they were sure and they just said yes.

"They got quite cross about the story."

Toby and Caleb met Harry along with his nans Christine Lawrence and Susan Smith, and his mum, Jenny.

Jenny said: "Bless them, it's so sweet of them."

Jenny Lawrence and her family are appalled at the wicked actions of Robert Harvey after he pretended to be raising money for her son Harry
Jenny Lawrence and her family are appalled at the wicked actions of Robert Harvey after he pretended to be raising money for her son Harry

Harvey was jailed for dishonestly making false representation, producing a class B drug and possessing or controlling articles to use in fraud at Maidstone Crown Court.

He was sentenced to nine months for each of the fraud charges and a further eight months for the drugs offence.

Fraudster Robert Harvey was jailed for more than two years
Fraudster Robert Harvey was jailed for more than two years
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