Big-hearted Ham&High readers have helped to make a little boy’s dream come true by buying him his own cello after his free music lessons were cancelled the day before his birthday.

Delighted Jahleel Weisser, of Holly Lodge Mansions on the Holly Lodge Estate, treated staff at Footes music shop to his rendition of The Monkey Song as he picked up his one-tenth sized cello.

The ecstatic youngster bought the stringed instrument after Ham&High readers pledged more than �500 to ensure his love of classical music would survive council cutbacks.

Tamatha Weisser, Jahleel’s Mum, said she was “shocked and overwhelmed” at the generosity of readers who have written and donated money to allow her son to pursue his passion for music.

She said: “It is incredible to think that people who have never met us have given their own money to make this happen.

“Jahleel was so excited he was up at 5am this morning screaming, ‘It’s the cello day, it’s the cello day’.

“He loves listening and playing to classical music and he will cherish it.”

NanDee Stockler, who helped buy the cello, said: “I just think it is so important that children can experience music and I think it is a sad statement about the times when a child has a love and they cannot pursue it.”