Portsmouth children walk 100 laps of playground in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore

Each school bubble at at St Paul’s Primary School in Paulsgrove completed 10 circuits of the playground in honour of the 100 laps Sir Tom did of his garden to raise nearly £33m to support the NHS in its fight against Covid.

As a young man Sir Tom served as British Army officer where he took part in the Burma Campaign during the Second World War. The much-loved veteran sadly passed away from the virus on February 2 at the age of 100.

Dominic Johns, nine, said: ‘I feel as a school it is really important to do an activity to represent how much of a good man he was and a great role model for all of us. I'm proud to have the opportunity to be part of the challenge of doing 100 laps around our school playground.’

Classmate Raine Wells, eight, added: ‘When Captain Sir Tom turned 100 he walked 100 laps to help fight Covid-19. I wanted to do the same for him.’

Children at the school also took part in a tribute assembly and have created a memory window with drawings, personalised prayers and poems in recognition of Sir Tom’s life and achievements.

SEE ALSO: NHS hero Captain Sir Tom Moore's cash drives funds new garden for hospital staff in Portsmouth

Grace Speight, age seven, said: ‘The walk made me feel really emotional because Captain Sir Tom was such a good man.’

Gracie-Mai Elms, nine, added: ‘During our assembly I felt really sad when I heard Captain Sir Tom had died because he was an amazing man..’

The school has set up a JustGiving page in memory of Sir Tom and have raised more than £850 so far towards his charity foundation.

Headteacher Zoe Killick said: ‘As a school community we were obviously upset by Sir Tom’s passing and we felt it was important to remember what he did for us. The contribution he made to the NHS goes above and beyond.

‘To raise more than £33m is a phenomenal achievement. He was an amazing person who inspired so many people.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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