A seven-year-old boy brought tears of happiness to a family devastated by a break-in after donating his sweet money when he heard about what was taken.

A seven-year-old boy brought tears of happiness to a family devastated by a break-in after donating his sweet money when he heard about what was taken.

Jonah Lewis, of Shrublands, Saffron Walden, overheard his parents talking about their friend who had been burgled at her home in Ilford, with her children’s birthday and Christmas money among the items stolen.

“I felt very sad for them, because they got burgled, it’s very horrible and hurtful for them to steal their birthday money, especially a child’s,” the St Mary’s Primary School pupil told the Reporter.

Jonah then sent the children, Sonny, nine, and Lois, seven, his own sweet money, sellotaped to a card and expressing his condolences.

“Because I am sad for you here is £2.50 in the envelope to replace the birthday money, and the money is my sweet money that I didn’t spend, hope you be ok and police with catch the robbers [sic] and take them into jail,” read the letter.

The recipients’ mum, Laura Nygate, said she was overcome with emotion on getting Jonah’s letter.

“Please, please, please tell him that it was one of the sweetest, kindest, most generous and thoughtful letters I have EVER received,” she wrote to Jonah’s mum, Monica Lewis.

“I actually cried when I read it. So much, in fact, that I had to stop reading, get a tissue, then start again. I am very proud to know someone like Jonah.”

As a prize for his thoughtfulness, Monica is taking Jonah on a day out swimming – when the weather gets a little warmer.

“I’m very proud of him,” she said.

“When he does things like this it’s always overwhelming, I get this rush of love. He’s a very kind and generous boy.”