South Yorkshire schoolboy takes on own NHS fundraising challenge inspired by Captain Tom Moore

Eddie Clarke, who lives with his parents Nicola and Ian in Wombwell, Barnsley, set up his fundraising initiative after seeing the 99-year-old war veteran raise over £27m for NHS charities together by completing 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.

The six-year-old started his own challenge on Saturday, April 18, pledging to run seven miles in seven days to raise as much money as he can for Barnsley Hospital Charity, a cause close to his heart as he has healthcare workers in the family.

He is determined to challenge himself and has raised nearly £300 so far.

His mother, Nicola, 34, said: “He’s always been fascinated by numbers so the fact that Captain Moore had made millions was just beyond belief for him.

“He was genuinely really excited about it so he started asking loads of questions about what he was doing and how old he is, then he sat there contemplating it and went ‘do you think I could do it mummy?’

“We discussed it and talked about being able to keep it up over seven days and making it achievable, but a challenge – something that he wouldn’t find easy – then it went from there.”

Nicola is on the vulnerable list as she takes immunosuppressants, and is shielding for 12 weeks, so anything Eddie does in regards to leaving his home for daily exercise has to carefully considered.

Therefore, The Ellis CofE Primary School pupil will be completing his running challenge on a quiet field near to Lundhill Road, just across from his home – making sure to abide by social distancing restrictions.

Eddie, who is a keen runner and is taking on the challenge alongside his dad, says he really wants coronavirus to end quicker “so we can all see our friends and family soon”.

Nicola added: “It hit him quite hard when we decided as a family to shield so that I didn’t have to live two metres apart, in a separate bedroom.

“We’ve been monitoring the field but we knew that’d be a safe place where he could still do some exercise and raise money for charity. We’re really cautious if anybody comes on the field so he can run in the opposite direction and can keep at a really safe distance.

“I’m incredibly proud of him, it’s nice that he’s got something to work towards.”

To donate or to keep up with Eddie’s challenge visit his fundraising page.

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