A Dagenham teenager is helping raise funds for the British Legion’s Poppy �Appeal by charging his school mates to see the giant wheel he built.

Joseph Oliva, 13, spent 10 hours putting together 8,550 K’NEX building block pieces to build the six foot ferris wheel.

But to see the teenager from Becontree Avenue’s creation, fellow students at All Saints School on Terling Road will have to pay 50p.

The structure was unveiled on Friday by Charles Sexton, chairman of the British Legion Becontree and Chadwell Heath branch, where Joseph is a junior member, and the Mayor of Barking and Dagenham Cllr Milton McKenzie.

Mum Christine, 48, told the Post that Joseph has saved up all his birthday and Christmas money until he had half of the �300 needed to by the set.

His parents put in the �extra cash and the school found a room for Joseph to build the giant wheel.

Christine said: “It took him about ten hours working during his lunch breaks and after school.

“He made it in segments and he had to get a teacher to help him move it and put it together.”

The wheel will also be on display at the British Legion Becontree and Chadwell Heath branch’s fun day on July 2, at their centre on �Becontree Avenue, to celebrate its 90th birthday.