Gosport boy, 8, draws picture of NHS fundraiser Captain Tom Moore to say an extra thank you

Keen artist Sidney Evans was so inspired by hearing about Captain Tom’s charity efforts to raise £29m for the NHS that he wanted to create a tribute to the veteran.

Sidney, from Gosport, has left his mum feeling ‘overwhelmed’ because of his inspiration to take on future fundraising for child vaccinations and elderly people, once the country is safely out of lockdown.

Proud mum Carla Pascoe said: ‘Sidney was really inspired by Captain Tom. He said it was really inspirational because he fought in the war and now he’s gone and raised money for the NHS.

‘He would love it if after lockdown he could find a way of raising money and doing things for other people.

‘I was very overwhelmed. When I was eight I never used to think like that but he’s just got such a massive heart and that’s lovely to see at his age. I was quite inspired by my own son.’

The Alver Valley Junior School pupil has been enjoying drawing pictures with his five-year-old sister Scarlett for some time, but wanted his latest creation to have a special meaning ahead of Captain Tom’s 100th birthday on Thursday.

‘Even though we’re all in quarantine, he decided to raise quite a bit of money so I’d like to thank him again,’ Sidney told The News.

‘He’s not only saved our country, he’s also raised so much money and it will really help with coronavirus.’

Kindhearted Sidney is hoping his picture will be seen by Captain Tom himself, and has already started thinking about ways he could raise money in the future, including a sponsored run or bike ride.

The Year 4 pupil said he would like half of whatever he can raise through his efforts to go towards funding research into vaccinations for children and half to go to elderly services so he can help to protect people.

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