This 10-year-old boy is hanging coats on trees for the most touching reason

10-year-old Oliver Edwards was given a simple homework assignment, which he then transformed into a wonderful way to help the homeless.

The boy was told at his school in Hobart, Tasmania that he needed to come up with an idea to better the community. 

His mum Cathy said his project could be anything – from 'a big artwork or helping old people, all sort of different things'.

"They check in with the teacher and go off and do them," his mum Cathy told Mamamia.

Oliver felt compelled to help homeless people in Hobart, as homelessness has been exacerbated recently in the city due to flooding and a rental crisis.

Then, the lightbulb over Oliver's head lit up – he could put winter coats on trees for those in need.

The 10-year-old and his mum decided to acquire second-hand coats and wrap them around trees with a note reading, “Free on a tree: If you need this, it’s yours.”

The parents of Oliver's school friends chipped in, donating their own coats, and Cathy began to clean out her own closet, too.

"I looked at my wardrobe and thought, 'Wow, seriously, how many coats do I need?'" she shared.

The project has been going on for two weeks and has already been picked up by multiple media outlets.

The boy's heartwarming idea is being expanded to different parts of Tasmania. There are also multiple donation points in Hobart now.

Cathy said that, in spite of all the attention, Oliver is still your average 10-year-old: "If I’ve got a carload of coats, we only do three or four places together and then, like any kid, he’s wanting to get back to his game of Fortnite or whatever.

"He’s just a normal kid, but he’s definitely pretty keen, and he likes to take his mates out to help him as well."

She added, "In Hobart, we’ve got these little pockets of homelessness. It’s pretty grim out there, so it’s nice to be able to do a tiny little bit. Even if it’s just a few people knowing that there are people out there who care."

We so admire Oliver's compassion and ingenuity. He and Cathy are warming those in need and warming our hearts as well.