Bolton teens praised for heartwarming act after helping lost child

On Monday, December 1, 15-year-old Sol McCullen was on his way to Sharples High School when he spotted a young child alone and upset.

Without a second thought, Sol went over to check if the boy was okay.

After giving the youngster his coat, Sol called his mum, Rachael Bannister, who works as a teaching ***istant.

“I got a phone call from Sol at the office where I work, so I was instantly quite worried,” said Rachael.

“He told me he had found a child on his own and wasn’t sure what to do.”

After discussing the situation with the headteacher, Rachael advised Sol to call the police, who quickly came to the young child’s aid.

Rachael said it was Sol’s instinct to help because “that’s just the sort of person he is”.

“He’ll always help when he can.”

While Sol stayed with the boy, two of his school friends, Emily and Elise, also stopped to help.

They gave the child a scarf and bought him a drink from a nearby shop, while they waited in the rain for the police to arrive.

“They all showed such caring and kindness,” said Rachael.

“For me, I know that this would have been second nature for Sol.”

Rachael added that Sol didn’t realise the impact of his kind actions, only that he was surprised nobody else had stopped to help a child in distress.

“After the incident, everyone kept telling me that I must be so proud,” said Rachael.

“I am, but I’m proud of Sol every day because he’s such a brilliant boy.”

The four-year-old child was later reunited with his mum a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed.