Captain Sir Tom Moore inspires Hunmanby youngster's fundraising challenge

Archie Cook, from Hunmanby, was inspired to complete more than 500 laps of his own garden by the centenarian in February.

Mum Claire explained that following the national clap for Captain Tom, after he passed away on February 2, Archie became interested in the achievements of the army veteran.

Claire said: “We did the NHS claps last year and he liked going out and doing that and he was like ‘why are we clapping again?’ and so we explained the story of Captain Tom of how he raised money walking around his garden and the next morning Archie came down at breakfast and said he wanted to do it too.”

The whole thing came as a bit of a surprise to mum Claire, “it’s not really something you’d expect a four-year-old to come out with!” she said.

The reception pupil at Hunmanby Primary School got stuck in straight away and started his own garden laps the day after the national clap.

“Archie found it a bit tricky, but he absolutely loved it,” said Claire. “He was running 20 lengths of our garden every day in all weathers, whether it was snowing or raining - but he really loved it.”

In total, the youngster had completed 500 laps by the end of February.

Relatives from around the country sponsored Archie’s garden laps and kept in touch with him over the phone during lockdown to offer messages of encouragement.

“I thought it was really nice, I don’t think he realised how many people would be really proud of him. I was really proud of him for saying he wanted to do it.

“Archie was really happy, but said he wanted to keep on running! So he carried on for a couple of extra days before getting bored, he said ‘£200 is lots of money!’”

The £200 that was raised by Archie has been donated to Hunmanby Primary School to purchase new play equipment for the early years classes.

Captain Sir Tom Moore won the nation’s hearts by walking 100 laps of his garden last year during the first coronavirus lockdown, raising £33 million for NHS Charities Together.