Boy, 7, inspired by Captain Tom to help the NHS

The celebrated centenarian was cheered on when he completed 100 laps of his garden and raised just short of £30 million to support the NHS’s efforts against coronavirus.

William Alvey School pupil Finlay Hrubesch has been running 100 laps around his garden every day for 10 days, with people donating money via a Justgiving page set up in his mum’s name, Tracy.

So far he has raised £470 for the appeal.

Proud dad Marcus Hrubesch, who runs the Solo Bar in town, said: “My little boy took a shine to Captain Tom and so he wanted to do a little charity effort at home while he was off school. It is for the NHS and every little helps.

“In these strange times it is something nice to hear.”

The family had recent experience of how wonderful the NHS when his big sister spent nearly two weeks in hospital earlier this year, and Finlay commented: “I wanted to raise £100 to buy some gowns and masks for the nurses after asking how many masks and gowns that would buy the NHS.”

He reached that figure on his first day so they upped it to £200 - now he is heading for a £500 target.

Marcus said: “As parents we are really proud of him.”

Like most bars and restaurants in the town, Marcus’s business is closed under the lockdown, but he said: “We are struggling but it is for the greater good. Hopefully we can come back more positive and stronger, fitter and better. I don’t think anyone is going to want to have big parties and gatherings for some time.”