Bush Snr was kind-hearted benefactor to Filipino boy

TO THE boy in the Philippines, his benefactor and source of letters and gifts was known simply as “G. Walker.”

To the Christian charity helping him keep his benevolence secret from the world, he was George Herbert Walker Bush – the 41st US president.

Compassion International, which helps poor children around the world through a network of local churches, revealed this week that the late president, had quietly sponsored a Filipino boy named Timothy for 10 years.

The organisation released a number of Bush’s heartwarm- ing letters to his young charge.

“I want to be your new pen pal,” Bush wrote in his initial letter sent on January 24, 2002.

“I am an old man, 77 years old, but I love kids; and though we have not met, I love you already,” said the former leader.

Mr Bush began sponsoring Timothy with a monthly donation in 2002 until his graduation from the program in 2012. Through all of that time, Mr Bush’s identity was kept secret due to security concerns.

At times, Mr Bush’s letters contained hints of his true identity, such as one in which he wrote: “I got to go to the White House at Christmas time. Here is a little booklet that I got at the White House in Washington.”

Mr Bush also occasionally sent gifts to Timothy, who spoke in his letters of loving to draw, and playing basketball and guitar.