Young farmer a step closer to achieving his dreams

First Union Financial Group and Hi-Pro Farm Supplies have taken 12-year-old Conroy Shakespeare one step closer towards his dreams of easing his family's financial burden.

After reading about the youngster's story in THE STAR, First Union assisted the family by erecting a coop in their yard last Sunday, while Hi-Pro has provided 100 chickens.

Shakespeare's mother, Simone Spence, said her son is over the moon and is extremely grateful for the tremendous support he has been getting.

"He now has a total of 107 chickens and he will be adding more to it very soon. He is very excited about the chickens and every morning before school, he would go and take care of them. Every chance he gets, he is in the coop taking care of them," she said.

Earlier this month, the Innswood High School student saved $680 from his lunch money in one week and was able to purchase six chickens.

Shakespeare, who also aspires to a career in farming, also constructed a small coop to house the chickens in the back of his yard in Gutters, Old Harbour, St Catherine.

"We are also grateful to Hi-Pro who has given him the 100 chickens along with other stuff for the coop. He got water pans and so on. They also came back and provided a covering for it, as well as 20 bags of feeding. We are really appreciative of everything," Spence said.