Seven-year-old James “JC” Connor has captured the hearts of many with his selfless act of generosity this holiday season. Instead of accepting a private suite to the Disney on Ice event at the O2 Arena—a VIP experience his parents won through a charity auction—JC decided to raffle it off and donate the proceeds to his school. His inspiring gesture serves as a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas and the power of giving.
The prize, highly sought after by many, was won by JC’s parents, Stephen and Ha Smith, who recently joined the John Caudwell’s Philanthropy Group, The Life Changers Circle. Motivated by his parents’ involvement in philanthropy, JC expressed his desire to make a positive impact in his community.
“We won the private suite at a charity auction aimed at raising funds for supporting care workers, and we thought JC would love to invite his friends,” said his father, Stephen Smith. “But when he told us he wanted to use it to raise money for his school, we were truly amazed.”
JC’s passion for giving back began when he was elected as a school councillor by his classmates. During his first meeting, he learned that the school needed a new climbing frame for the younger students. This inspired him to take action and raise funds for the cause.
“He came home and told me that the Reception Year children needed a new climbing frame, and he was determined to raise the money for it,” said his mother, Ha Smith. “We are so proud of his initiative.”
With the support of his parents, JC decided to raffle off the highly coveted prize and donate the funds to his school. “I saw my parents helping others, and I wanted to do something special for my school too. It feels really good to help people,” said JC.
This is not the first time that JC has shown his dedication to supporting his school. Last year, he helped organize a group of children from the school to participate in an opening event with Queen Camilla, where he presented her with a posy of flowers.
The funds raised through the raffle will directly support educational programs, school supplies, and extracurricular activities at Our Lady & St John’s (OLSJ) Primary School, ensuring that all students have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.
The Life Changers Circle, a group of philanthropists and humanitarians who use their resources to make a difference, praised JC for his generosity. “In these challenging times, charity is more important than ever, and JC’s selflessness is an example for us all,” said founder John Caudwell.
Not stopping there, JC also created a JustGiving page to raise additional funds. To date, he has raised an impressive £5,630, with contributions from family, friends, and the local community. With the added amount from the raffle, JC will have raised over £7,000 for his beloved school.
His heartfelt gesture has caught the attention of the local community, with many praising JC for his mature understanding of generosity at such a young age. His school’s principal, Mrs. Cunningham, expressed admiration for his actions.
“We are incredibly proud of James Connor for demonstrating such a powerful message about the importance of giving, especially at a time when we are reminded of how essential it is to support one another. His actions inspire us all to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas,” said Mrs. Cunningham.
In a world often focused on materialism, JC stands as a beacon of kindness. His parents expressed their pride in their son’s compassionate decision, saying, “We are so proud of JC for choosing to help others. It’s moments like these that remind us all of the importance of kindness and giving back.”
This Christmas, James Connor has reminded us that the greatest gifts are those that come from the heart. His actions serve as a beautiful example of how one person’s decision to put others first can spark a wave of goodwill and generosity.
For more information or to contribute, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jc
About James Connor
James “JC” Connor is a seven-year-old student at Our Lady & St John’s Primary School in Brentford, West London, known for his infectious enthusiasm and big heart. This Christmas, he has made a significant impact through his selfless fundraising efforts, proving that even the youngest among us can make a world of difference.
About The Life Changers Circle
In 2020, while the world was in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic, John Caudwell launched The Life-Changers Circle. The idea was to bring together an intimate group of philanthropists and dedicated humanitarians who share his and his family’s passion to use their privileged resources to make a difference to people’s lives. Membership of The Life-Changers Circle is strictly by invite only but to find out more contact Jo-Ann D’Costa-Manuel by emailing jo@caud
