Boy, 6, with spina bifida raises £70K for NHS walking 10 metres a day inspired by Captain Tom
AN AMAZING six-year-old boy with spina bifida is walking 10 metres a day with his frame to raise funds for NHS workers tackling the coronavirus crisis.
Frank Mills from Bristol was inspired to raise money after seeing fundraising hero Captain Tom Moore complete 100 laps of his home in Bedfordshire.
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The 99-year-old war veteran captured hearts around the world with his fundraiser which has raised a staggering £26 million for NHS Charities Together.
Frank's mum, Janet Mills, told the : "When Frank saw Captain Tom on TV, he said: 'I want to do that.'
"So we grabbed hold of that magic moment and we took his walker outside for him and chalked out 10 metres on the pavement with a start and finish line and two metre 'you can do it!' markers.
"Frank's enthusiasm was not just surprising but invigorating and as he shouted at one of our neighbours to sponsor him, we thought why not?
Frank was born prematurely at just under 25 weeks and spent nearly five months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Southmead Hospital.
Frank's parents, Janet and Tony, have praised staff at Southmead and Bristol Children's Hospital for their "absolutely amazing care and dedication".
Money raised from Frank's Finish Line Fundraiser will also go to NHS Charities Together, an umbrella organisation that supports health service charities.
The millions raised by Captain Moore will go towards food parcels and counselling sessions for NHS staff working during the coronavirus pandemic and iPads for patients to speak to loved ones.
"At a time of great national anxiety, Captain Tom has given us a really good news story when we desperately needed one, especially inspiring our little lad Frank," said Janet.
"Folk have been so generous, especially at a time when people are stuggling financially, and we would like to thank everyone who has supported Frank from the bottom of our hearts.
"It restores your faith in humanity."
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