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Leeds archery boy boosts air ambulance
A SPORTING youngster was right on target when he raised nearly £600 for charity in an archery tournament.
Little Joe Fairburn's two favourite pastimes are shooting targets and watching BBC1 TV show Helicopter Heroes, so it was only a matter of time before he found a way to combine the two.
The seven-year-old, of Bramhope, Leeds, got the chance to shoot in the National Indoor Championships in Shropshire and asked people to sponsor him in aid of the real-life heroes of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Dad Colin said: "He loves reality TV, particularly Helicopter Heroes, all about the Yorkshire Air Ambulance."
Joe came third in the under-nines section at the championships and cash raised from family and friends and archery clubs around the country meant he raised far more than expected.
Mr Fairburn said: "Archery has got to be the friendliest of sports and the way they supported him is typical of the archery fraternity."
The Bramhope Primary School pupil took up the bow and arrow at the age of five after watching BBC1's Robin Hood.
He said: "I like the fights – they look exciting."
Joe has already won podium places in tournaments around the country. He is a member of four clubs: Panda Bowmen, in Bramhope; Bowmen of Adel; Stonebow Field Archers in Thirsk; and Bronte Archers at Apperley Bridge.
His dad said if he continued to progress, one day he might end up representing Great Britain in the Olympics.
And archery isn't his only skill, he also goes fencing once a week, again inspired by the action-packed adventures of Robin Hood.
He entered his first fencing tournament last month. He also plays for West Park Leeds Rugby Union Football Club and Guiseley Amateur Rugby League Club.
Joe personally handed over the cheque to the crew at the Yorkshire Air Ambulance hangar at Leeds Bradford Airport.
The Air Ambulance flies seven days a week, 365 days a year but to provide its life-saving service it needs to raise 7,200 a day to keep both helicopters in the air.
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Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
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Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
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