Encorp has signed on as seven-year-old Jacob Schultz's first corporate sponsor in Jacob's quest to raise money for the BC Children's Hospital.

According to his father, Amery Schultz, Encorp, a recycling company, offered on Monday to match any money that Jacob collects, up to $1,000.

The company made the offer after reading local coverage of Jacob's fundraising campaign.

"Their CEO actually saw it and said, 'We got to do something,'" says Amery. He adds the family had planned to seek corporate sponsorships but did not know how to find any.

"It just fell out of the sky."

Jacob is raising money by placing coin boxes around town and collecting recyclable cans and bottles for the deposits. He started the campaign in honour of his one-year-old brother, Daniel, who had open-heart surgery at the BC Children's Hospital when he was just four days old.

Last week's News article about Jacob notes that his goal was to raise $500 by next April.

However, his father estimates that the family has already collected close to that amount or even slightly more. With the pledge from Encorp, Jacob is certain to pass his original goal, Amery adds.

"This puts his whole goal much loftier.

"We're pretty sure he's going to hit $2,500 pretty easy."

The Schultz family will pick up cans and bottles for donation and can be reached at 250-315-5632. Donations can also be made in the name of Jacob or Daniel Schultz at the George Hale Transfer Station once it reopens after summer holidays next week.