A young Okotoks boy is taking fundraising for his late friend into his own hands, by trading.

It all started with a simple office supply for 10-year-old Evan Thachuk, who is doing the red paperclip trade up challenge.

Thachuck shares he's slowly been trading up from a paperclip to items of higher value.

"I started at 7/11 downtown, I traded the paperclip for a Canadian bracelet, to a water bottle from 3G Embroidery, then I went to Finishing Touches and they gave me hand lotion," he explains. "From there I went to School House Pets and they gave me a dog dish worth $15.00, then I went to Shoppers Drug Mart and I got a trade there, they gave me a keyboard worth $60.00."

After trading with businesses in town Thachuk shares he's now acquired an item valued at over $1,000

"I'm got this gym membership for one year, to the Okotoks Recreation Centre and Natural High Fitness, worth $1157.55."

Thachuk shares the challenge was inspired by a YouTube video, he now plans to sell whatever the end item is with all proceeds donated to his late friend's charity.

"I'm trying to see how far I can get in the community, my friend two years ago passed away from E-Coli and his parents ran a charity for him, so I'm going to sell the end item and give all the money to them."

Thachuk hopes anyone wanting to trade up will give him a call, he can be reached at 403-618-6243

For more information visit the Max Robinson Children's Foundation website. 

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