WHEN teenager Edward Power was told he could not enjoy his usual summer sports because of a jaw operation, he saw an opportunity to help a charity instead.

The 18-year-old, from Busby, near Stokesley, usually spends his holidays rowing, running and mountain biking, but because of the operation, which left his jaw wired up, doctors ruled that out this year.

Instead of spending an idle summer waiting for his A-level results, the Yarm School student turned his hand to carpentry and made a tombola drum for his mother Anna's favourite charity, the Riding for the Disabled's Unicorn Centre, in Hemlington.

Using recycled wood from the centre's windshelter, destroyed in gales two years ago, Edward set to in his father's workshop and made the drum in four weeks, using his own design.

Mrs Power, who is in charge of fundraising at the Unicorn Centre, said yesterday: "Tombola drums are like golddust. We have to beg, steal or borrow one every time we hold an event.

"Now that we have our own we can use it for raffles and also for our 200 club, which we draw each month.

"Edward was having a hard time keeping his mind off eating, so, when he thought of the idea of making the tombola drum, it kept us both happy.