A man inspired by Captain Tom to walk 95 laps to raise money for a cancer charity crossed the finish line to raucous cheering.
Schoolchildren, veterans and family members gathered to watch RAF veteran Corporal Donald Elsom, 94, complete his last lap around the playing field at Catchgate Primary School in Annfield Plain on Wednesday (March 13).
Ahead of his birthday, Mr Elsom, who served from 1950 to 1955 in then-Malaya and Singapore, took to the field to complete his final two laps as part of an undertaking which began in September last year.
The 94-year-old was cheered on by children at the school, who held up signs supporting him and shouted words of encouragement, as he made his way to the finish line.
He said: “It was emotional. I’m glad to be done. The support that was there for me made it emotional.
“It was exciting, it brought tears to my eyes.
“Having my granddaughter, her chap, and the littlun with us, that was almost a highlight of doing it.
“They had to travel from Stoke to be with me, it was wonderful.”
He was joined on his walk around the playing field by his granddaughter Jade, her partner, Kielan, and their son, Jaxon.
Don was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2012, and was supported by Macmillan Cancer Support, who he is now raising money for.
Mr Elsom added his daughter was not able to join them as she is currently undergoing radiotherapy.
The fundraiser has raised more than £3,500 at the time of writing, and Mr Elsom added he expects this figure to go even higher in the coming days.
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He urged anyone wishing to raise money through similar means to not hesitate and take on the task.
“If they’re fit enough and have got an idea, do it,” he added.
You can find the fundraiser here.
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