Gatton boy Leo Tyers gives 100 Christmas hampers to families in need

A pint-sized Lockyer Valley entrepreneur has turned his imperfect produce business into a lifeline for 100 struggling families this Christmas.

Leo Tyers pictured in front of his shop at 9 Ford St Gatton

A pint-sized entrepreneur who runs a fruit and vegetable stand out of Gatton has embarked on his latest philanthropic endeavour, providing 100 Christmas hampers for those in need.

For the past three years, seven-year-old Leo Tyers and his family have run Leo’s Little Shop, a produce stand out of his home which sells goods from local farmers that have slight imperfections and can’t be sold in stores.

Outside of his businesses efforts, his mother Barbara Sanchez and father Lyndon Tyers have instilled a philanthropic attitude in the young Lockyer Valley boy, with Leo recently installing a box at his stand collecting snacks, water and hygiene items to give to a local homeless man.

Ms Sanchez said for the past three years the family has been providing Christmas hampers for those in need and has set themselves the lofty goal of giving away 100 this year.

Leo and his family are looking to give away 100 free hampers this Christmas

“We organise donations from local farmers, big businesses in Brisbane, local families and even donations from the USA,” Ms Sanchez said.

“The first year we did 50 hampers, the second year we did 80 and this year we are supplying 100 free hampers for the community.

“We are putting items together at the moment, we normally raise a bit of cash to pay for things we didn't manage to get donated, but so far people have donated hundreds of toys, food, books, Christmas lollies, drinks, gift cards, personalised Christmas cards, fruit and vegetables, dry foods and more.

“This is the biggest year so far and we are so excited.”

Ms Sanchez said the initiative was also about teaching their son the value of giving back to those in need.

“I am 40 years old and I believe the times are changing, I believe respect towards others and values are being lost, I guess I am just old school ” she said.

“I am trying to teach my son to keep those values, be a kind person and help people when he can, that’s my biggest goal.”

Donations can be dropped off at Leo's Little Shop in Gatton.

Ms Sanchez said she was proud of her son who recently, off his own back, also decided to help a local homeless man.

“I taught him and now he is teaching me,” she said.

“We have been living in Gatton for four years and I had seen this homeless man (Porter) all this time and I’d never thought of doing something for him.

“We went for a walk past his tent and he asked me ‘mum why is he living there’ and we explained the situation and he said he would like to use his money to help him.

“We came up with the conclusion that we might not be able to fix everything but we can try, we went to the shop with his money and bought items for him and he was such a lovely man and we left very happy.

“We now have a little box at the store so people can donate for Porter.”

Those looking to donate to the Christmas hampers or support Porter can visit Leo’s Little Shop at 9 Ford St, Gatton.