Captain Tom inspires Billingshurst family in daunting challenge

Abi and Chris Smith and their three children plan to walk 60 miles on Saturday to raise money for Billingshurst Primary School.

Abi said: “We have set upon a challenge that we think Captain Tom would be proud of - to do 100 laps of our block.

“The block is 0.6 miles long so we will be doing over 60 miles in total if we go around 100 times.

“Walking, running, skipping, cycling and scootering, we will not stop until 100 laps have been completed.

“We know Captain Tom, who inspired us all, would be proud!”

Abi and Chris’s three children will be taking part: Lily, 11, Henry, eight and five-year-old Tommy who are all pupils at Billingshurst Primary.

Abi added: “The school has missed out on a lot of their big fundraisers such as the spring and summer fair last year and the spring fair this year, not to mention their annual welly walks and film nights.”

The family is hoping that neighbours will come out to cheer them on when they start their challenge from 7am on Saturday.

“We will be carrying with us a bucket so people can donate cash/coins as they see us walking round.”

Captain Tom, who died last week at the age of 100, inspired the nation when he raised £33 million for the NHS by walking laps of his garden.