Louis Hoskin raises £6700 for Ancre Somme Association

Louis, a Sedbergh Prep School student, started playing his saxophone on the streets of Kirkby Lonsdale last summer to raise money for the Ancre Somme Association. 

Now, through a Just Giving campaign, the 'army-mad' boy raised £6,701 for the Association. 

On the campaign page, Louis wrote: "For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a solder. I am very fortunate to know men that serve in the Parachute Regiment, the Duke of Lancaster Regiment, and also the Special Air Service (SAS). 

Louis raised money for the John McAleese memorial in Scotland (Image: Philip Hoskin)

"I think it is extremely important to honour the memory of these men and others. It is also important to help those gallant men and women that have suffered in recent conflict." 

He has also raised £2500 for the John McAleese memorial in Laurieston, Glasgow. He was one of the SAS members who stormed the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980 and fought in the Falklands War and The Troubles. 

Louis said: "I usually play during the week in summer. We can't do it during school weeks but we can usually do it in the holidays. I like helping people and making people smile."

Louis playing the saxophone on Devil's bridge (Image: Philip Hoskin)

He said he likes playing 'cool tunes.' His favourite is Surf Rider by The Lively Ones, popularised by the Quentin Tarantino movie Pulp Fiction. 

"If one of my classmates sees me when I am busking, they always put some money in.

"I just want to help people, mainly soldiers with PTSD." 

Louis with Colin MacLachlan (Image: Philip Hoskin)

Philip Hoskin is Louis's father and a teacher at Sedbergh Prep. He said: "He's always been mad on the army. He has got an idea of what soldiers are going through because he's become friends with a few of them."

For instance, Louis has met Colin MacLachlan, who starred in SAS: Who Dares Wins. "He keeps chipping away, chipping away. He plays just outside Boots near the tourist information building."