Boy, 10, sets himself Rubik's Cube challenge

Gavin KermackWest Midlands
News imageTara Andrews A young boy with short light brown hair swept down over his foreheard holds two Rubik's Cubes and looks enthusiastically at the camera. He is wearing a blue t-shirt with a picture of a Rubik's Cube on it.Tara Andrews
10-year-old George is aiming to beat his own record and solve the Rubik's Cube in less than three minutes

While most children will be spending next Monday picking through the remnants of their Easter chocolate, one ambitious 10-year-old boy will be facing a different sort of challenge.

George, from Bewdley, Worcestershire, has developed a talent for solving the Rubik's Cube - the iconic 1980s toy which remains popular to this day.

George will be trying to set a new personal best by solving it in less than three minutes, and is aiming to raise £500 for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

He will be broadcasting the challenge in a Facebook Live video filmed by his 8-year-old brother Alfie.

News imageTara Andrews The boy from the above picture wearing a green Minecraft t-shirt. He is being held by a bald man with a black/grey beard and a white t-shirt. Next to the man is a woman with neck-length dark blonde hair and a younger boy wearing a red t-shirt. All four are smiling at the camera.Tara Andrews
George's little brother Alfie (right) will be broadcasting the challenge on Facebook Live, supported by their parents Mike and Tara

George was inspired to learn after watching his dad Mike get to grips with the toy.

"I got one for Christmas one year. I just got stuck into it and then I guess he's seen me doing it," said Mike.

"It took me two years to learn," added George. "But I wanted to do it, because I'd seen my dad doing it."

He now has the bug, and has amassed a collection of cubes he uses to practice - but he has yet to choose which one he will use for his challenge.

"They all look different and they all feel different," said George. "Some have magnets, some don't, some are hollow."

News imageTara Andrews Two young boys standing outside. One is wearing an inflatable Pikachu costume, and the other boy, who is smaller, is wearing an inflatable chicken costume.Tara Andrews
Last year George and Alfie raised money for Birmingham Children's Hospital

George and Alfie are already experienced fundraisers, having last year raised £1,000 for Birmingham Children's Hospital by offering hugs to people while dressed as a chicken and Pokemon character Pikachu.

They chose the Midlands Air Ambulance after it rescued their grandfather following a motorbike accident.

"They didn't realise that the government didn't fund the Midlands Air Ambulance," said their mum Tara. "I think that was why they decided on that particular charity."

"I'm really proud," added Mike. "It's one thing learning a skill, but using it to help others, that's what makes it really special for me and I'm proud of both of them."

George, who practises solving the Rubik's Cube every day, said he was confident of beating his target of three minutes - but was less certain he would ever beat the current world record of less than three seconds.

"That kid might have just dedicated his life and started doing it when he was three," he said. "I honestly have no idea how he did it."

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