Barnham boy following his hero Captain Sir Tom Moore with epic NHS fundraiser for World Book Day

Eight-year-old Vinnie Horspool Wynn has dressed up as the late veteran, who captured the nation’s hearts last summer and raised more than £30million for the NHS by doing 100 laps of his garden.

Vinnie said he was inspired by Captain Tom’s book – One Hundred Steps – so wanted to emulate his hero for World Book Day.

“The NHS has done a lot for me so I wanted to do something for them,” said Vinnie, who had major surgery recently and has tubes permanently connected to his stomach.

“He also likes motorbikes like me. It’s going to be tough but I’m ready for it.”

Vinnie will be completing 100 laps of his housing estate in Chesham Place, Barnham, covering a distance of around 29 miles.

He has gone the extra mile with his costume, complete with grey hair, fake moustache and inflatable walking stick.

His epic adventure started at 9am this morning (March 4) and it is expected to take him around five hours to complete.

A JustGiving page has already raised more than £1,200 for the NHS.

Vinnie’s mum, Charlotte, is joining Vinnie on his walk alongside his dad, Leon Horspool.

Charlotte said he had come up with the idea all by himself after realising he would not be in school for World Book Day.

“At first it was a bit daunting because it’s quite a long way, but he was adamant he wanted to do it,” she said.

“We’re going to have to do it in a few chunks and have a few shoe changes, but we’ll get there.

“We’ve had people putting banners out their windows on the estate and cheering for him, so it’s been great so far.”

Vinnie has already far surpassed his and his parents’ fundraising expectations, but the total continues to soar.

You can donate to the cause here