Toddler Joshua Beesley has become one of the county’s youngest fund-raisers by organising a sponsored walk for charity.

Joshua, four, of Tonbridge, raised more than £300 by completing three laps of the town’s Long Mead sports ground.

He was raising money for Compassion, a Christian charity that helps the world’s poorest children.

His father, Richard, said: “I think he walked about three kilometres (1.8 miles). Compassion works to support the poorest children in the poorest countries, providing for their basic needs.

“Joshua wanted to make a difference to the lives of these children and he initiated this himself.”

Joshua, who has just start attending St Margaret Clitherow Primary School in Tonbridge, said: “I really enjoyed doing this.”

He took his younger brother, Daniel, aged two, and several friends along with him for the walk which took place on September 9. Joshua was the only child raising funds, but Mr Beesley said: “Daniel only managed only one lap of the sports ground.”

Joshua collected sponsorship money from family, friends and children at St Margaret’s Pre-school and Roselands preschool at Higham Wood, which he previously attended.

Mr Beesley, a local government officer, and his wife Rebecca, already support four children in South America through Compassion.

Joshua writes to the sponsored children and sends them pictures that he draws.

Mr Beesley said: “He may well do another sponsored walk. I don’t there’s anything that would stop him.”