Man, 91, makes 300 wooden toys for charity
BrunelcareA 91-year-old man has made more than 300 wooden toys to raise money for a community project.
John Harris, who lives in a care home in Glastonbury, goes to the Street and Walton Men's Shed - a place were people can socialise and use the workshop - twice a week to handcraft the wooden monkeys.
He sells the toys and donates some to local charity shops, to support good causes.
Harris said: "When I lost my wife, I went into men's shed. I used it for therapy. It's a fantastic place, we're all in together and we have men's banter as usual."
Harris is transported to and from the shed by his son-in-law each week, enabling him to continue a hobby he has enjoyed for more than three years.
"What I used to do was make the monkeys for the men's shed [and] when they said they had enough, I saw a young family with children and they didn't have spare money," he said.
"I gave them the monkeys I was making and it made me feel good inside. I now make some for the church and some for the Brunel Care Home where I live."
Before retiring, Harries had a varied career that saw him move around the country, working within the Police Force, the Air Force, and later in accountancy.
Harris has three children, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren who regularly visit him at Glastonbury Care Home.
Nisha Binumon, Glastonbury Care Home Manager said: "It's wonderful having John with us. He's kind, caring, and always checking if any of his monkeys have sold.
"He often gives them to carers with children because he wants to bring joy to everyone.
"We make sure he gets to Men's Shed and never forget his big, packed lunch. We always look forward to his return, and the bag of monkeys we display at the front desk for people to buy. He's truly a joy to care for."
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