BIG hearted schoolboy Jai Cowan has raised £700 to help the homeless after a chance meeting on the street.

Jai had smashed his two front teeth when he fell of his bike and had to go to the dental hospital in Glasgow.

As the St Peter’s Primary pupil and his mum Donna made their way along Sauchiehall Street, Jai spotted a homeless man.

It was that moment that inspired the St Peter’s Primary pupil to help people like the man he had seen on Sauchiehall Street.

His mum explained: “We saw a man sitting drawing and Jai wanted to stop and talk to him.

“As we got talking, Casper the homeless man drew Jai a picture. Once we walked away Jai said he wanted to help people like Casper.

“When we got home Jai asked me for an empty jar and each week he put some of his pocket money in it.

“His pennies soon started to fill the jar and word of Jai’s fundraising reached family members and friends.”

At the time, mum Donna was running her own Christmas campaign for the community where she and friend Lorraine Findlay would gather presents for families in need in Ardrossan and Saltcoats.

Jai asked if he could start his own Just Giving page and within days he had raised £700 to give to Help The Homeless in Glasgow.

“He was so happy to help people like Casper,” said the proud mum.

“We have to thank everyone who got behind Jai and his mission to help the homeless. Everyone got behind him and we couldn’t believe the support shown to us.

“One of his friends Olly, who is only nine, sold his toys on Facebook and helped raise £70 for the homeless.

“And some people donated Greggs vouchers, which was great too.

“We are going back up this week to the dental hospital and I know Jai will want to stop and talk to any homeless people we see.

“He has such a big heart, I am so proud.

“He can’t wait to catch up with Casper and in these worrying times when people are struggling financially it’s good to know my son is doing his best to help them.”