AN inspirational boy has been awarded a very rare gold Blue Peter badge for his remarkable fundraising efforts.

Last year 10-year-old Lewis Powell wrote and directed an original play called ‘Into the Book’.

He recruited all his friends to perform the play and raised hundreds for the British Heart Foundation.

Lewis chose the British Heart Foundation as he has been diagnosed with having a hole in the heart.

Blue Peter heard about Lewis’s fantastic efforts and decided to award him an incredible gold Blue Peter badge.

Only a few of the special badges are distributed every year and are only awarded to children in exceptional circumstances for outstanding achievements.

Lewis, who has a passion for drama, has already written his second play to be performed next month.

The talented young director has written his own take on the frosty Snow Queen for this year’s Christmas

extravaganza.

Lewis uses playwriting as a form of creative release from autism. This year’s play will fundraise for the National Autistic Society in Monmouthshire.

Preparations for this year’s concert are already in full swing with “mind-blowing” costumes ready for his cast. Lewis has again enlisted the help of his friends to perform in the concert.

This will be Lewis’s last concert in Monmouth as he is moving to England later this year.

Lewis said: “The rehearsals are going well. I’m already working on my next play called the Booktopian Chronicles.

“I like how anything can happen in the theatre. My inspiration is the actress Mia Wasikowska who played Alice in the film Alice in Wonderland.

“I wanted to raise money because I’ve got things like a hole in the heart and I want to help other people.

“I’m very happy to have a gold Blue Peter badge.”

Lewis’s mum Carla Powell said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by how much support Lewis has received from everyone.

“We sent a letter to Blue Peter about the play in May but we never dreamed he’d receive a gold badge.

“We’re very proud of Lewis.”

Lewis’s show will be held at Dingestow Village Hall on Sunday 13th December. There will be a raffle, an auction and tombola to raise funds for the National Autistic Society along with mulled wine and mince pies on arrival.

Prizes have been donated from businesses in Monmouth and family have been overwhelmed by the support.

Lewis’s grandmother Lyn Head said: “The support from Monmouth has been amazing, businesses have been so generous and have been donating gifts worth a lot of money.”

To book a ticket for the concert, telephone Lewis’s mum Carla on 07450 852006.

Tickets are priced at £2.