Captain Tom inspires pupils to raise thousands for hospice

Lichfield primary pupils inspired by fundraising hero Captain Tom Moore have raised £3,295.15 for St Giles Hospice by completing a sponsored walk.

After Captain Tom walked 100 laps around his garden before he turned 100, Five Spires Academy, in Cherry Orchard, gave pupils an “11 before 11 ” challenge, encouraging them to complete 11 personal challenges before their 11th birthdays.

One of their goals was to raise money for charity, so pupils walked 100 laps of their playground in aid of St Giles, which supports patients and their families who are living with a terminal illness.

Five Spires Learning Mentor Tracy Lisseter said: “We wanted to do something positive after a challenging year and help a charity whose fundraising would have suffered because of the pandemic.

“St Giles is a local charity which has supported members of our school community during difficult times. We are extremely grateful for their help and wanted to give something back.

“Our families have been extremely generous and we have been overwhelmed by their support.

“We would have been happy with raising a few hundred pounds as we know every little bit helps a charity, but to raise £3,295.15 is fantastic and we are so grateful for the generosity of our parents and carers, and their friends and families. It 's a remarkable effort which we are very proud of. ”

Jo Murch, regional fundraiser at St Giles Hospice, added: "What an inspiration the staff and students of Five Spires Academy are! We really can 't thank them enough for their amazing donation.

"Fundraising teaches children so many important life skills such as compassion, determination and social awareness and St Giles is delighted to have the support of Five Spires Academy, especially after a difficult year when we have had to cancel fundraising events and close our shops."

The pupils did their sponsored walk as part of 'Miles 4 St Giles ' - a fundraising initiative set up in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which encourages supporters to run, cycle or walk their own distance over 30 days to raise sponsorship for the hospice.

Pictured: Five Spires Academy pupils and Jo Murch (right) celebrate the success of their fundraising for St Giles Hospice