Boys make NHS efforts inspired by Captain Tom
TWO schoolboys have been inspired by 100-year-old fundraiser Captain Tom Moore to cycle and run hundreds of kilometres to collect thousands of pounds for the NHS.
Oscar Sykes (8) has pledged to run 100km in and around Hoburne Naish Holiday Park in New Milton, while Harvey Nelson (10), from Milford, has got up at 6am for the past 11 days to do an 11km walk or ride each day.
Both have taken on challenges to honour Captain Moore, a former British army officer who became a sensation by walking 100 lengths of his garden prior to his 100th birthday, which was today (Thursday). In doing so he raised around £30m for the NHS.
Oscar, who attends Highcliffe Primary School, dreamt up his challenge and is running short distances – anywhere between 1km and 4km per day – at the nearby holiday park where his dad, Neil, is the general manager.
Neil said: “We are so proud of Oscar. After being inspired by Captain Tom Moore, he was determined to help fundraise for the NHS and initially set himself a target of £100.
“He has received so much support from his family, friends and the team at Hoburne, and has beaten that target already – so Oscar is now continuing to see just how much he can raise.”
Milford Primary School pupil Harvey did his challenge over 11 days because when he started it was 11 days until Captain Moore was due to hit his 100th.
Year Six pupil Harvey said: “I wanted to help all the people who work at the NHS as they are doing an amazing job helping people who have coronavirus. I think they are very brave and I just want them to know how much we love them.
“I was inspired by Captain Tom Moore who has done an amazing job raising lots of money for the NHS. I just wanted to help and do something myself.”
He added: “The more money we can raise the quicker we can find a cure and can then spend time again with our friends and family.”
It is not just youngsters who have been clocking up the miles. Eighty-six-year-old Peggy Fidler, from New Milton, received a signed certificate from Olympic distance champion Sir Mo Farah for walking the equivalent of a marathon in the first 26 days of the lockdown.
Peggy’s daughter, Katrina Judson, approached Sir Mo’s agent for the favour. Since then Peggy has been walking even further – keeping to social distancing rules.
Harvey is already more than halfway to his £2,200 target. Donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/harveysnhsfundraise
Oscar has pledged all the money raised from his running will go to NHS Charities Together. Donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/neil-sykes3
