Dorset Army Cadet raises thousands of pounds by sleeping out in homemade air raid shelter

A Dorset Army Cadet has raised thousands of pounds for Air Ambulance charities by sleeping in a homemade air raid shelter.

14-year-old Ben Hall from Bovington has been sleeping in the Anderson Shelter which he made in his back garden for weeks.

He's managed to raise £3,600 for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Ben says he wanted to raise money for the charity because of the work they did over the summer rescuing people who were tombstoning on Dorset's Coast.

Ben said:

"Because after what happened at Durdle Door, they had to send out two helicopters that day and they haven't been able to go out fundraising."

Ben's time hasn't been without incident as the shelter turned into a pond about a week ago with the heavy rain.

Undaunted he came up with a solution, his tent came out until the water drained away and his sleeping bag dried out and he finished his challenge as he had started it, back in the shelter.

He's now sleeping back in his own bed since returning to school this week, but he says he actually didn't mind it too much sleeping outside.

"I quite like it out there in the Anderson shelter, as I can get away from my older sister, as well as raising cash for a very good cause!"

Ben's mother, Shelley Hall said;

"I'm sure he'll find it strange being back in his room, so he can stretch out in a big bed." Adding "He's definitely grown being out in the fresh air too."

Commenting on Bens' fundraising efforts, Dorset ACF Commandant Colonel Dick Taylor said:

"Ben's community mindedness, tenacity and willingness to help others whilst adapting to challenging situations exemplifies everything that is great about what our cadets can achieve.

"We're very proud of what he's done."