Boy, nine, starts Big Travs Foodbank to help Bradford people

Nine-year-old Travis Robinson runs Big Travs Foodbank with his dad Craig Robinson. 

Travis, who lives with his family in Five Lane Ends, says he will keep going "until the world's on my side".

"It all started when me and my dad were coming back home and got some things from Lidl," Travis said. 

"I saw this homeless man and I asked my dad 'can I borrow some money?'. I put the money in his little Costa cup and he said 'thank you, I can have my tea today' and that inspired me and my dad to get this food bank."

Nine-year-old Travis Robinson runs Big Travs Foodbank with his dad Craig Robinson (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

Craig said: "That's what hit home with him.

"We'd gone to York a couple of days after. He was saying hello to all the homeless people, giving them thumbs up."

The Robinson family is no stranger to the act of charity, having collected much-needed donations for Marie Curie, where Travis' mum works, during the pandemic.

Craig said: "We had a discussion and he said 'shall we set up that food bank again?'.
"He's the driving force behind it. I'm really proud of him."

Travis Robinson, pictured with donations from kind hearted fans of his page (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

Travis' mission has become a social media hit as Craig documents their emotional journey on the Facebook group, Big Travs Foodbank. 

In a matter of weeks, the father and son duo have delivered hundreds of donations to charities across Bradford. 

Meanwhile Bradford Community Kitchen has invited Travis to help them cook and serve meals for the homeless. 

Travis, whose dream is to be famous for helping people, said: "I want to keep everything going until the world's on my side."

Travis Robinson has collected and received hundreds of donations to help other people in Bradford (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

Travis' charity work was noticed by football coach Christopher Minchella, who played for West Bowling FC, and serial fundraiser Jamie Boyle. 

Mr Minchella rallied kind-hearted troops to complete a 10-mile charity walk from Headingley to Odsal for the cause.

As the wave of kindness spread through Bradford, Travis was successfully nominated to become a mascot for the Bradford Bulls at Odsal Stadium.

It left him crying happy tears. 

Craig said: "I like to think we've put him on the right path but he's always been very caring, very loving. He's really aware of how lucky he is.

"I look at him he melts my heart. He's got the biggest heart in the world."

Describing the life lessons from this experience, Craig said: "How generous people can be, the community pulling together, in a time when it's hard for everybody. There's still people out there who are saying, I can give you a tin of beans."