Chesterfield school pupils celebrate 100-year-old NHS fundraiser Colonel Tom Moore

The youngsters and staff at Spire infants also made a model of Colonel Tom, who captured hearts when he completed 100 laps of his garden for his 100th birthday – raising £33million for the NHS.

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Pupil Jasmine Spalding said: “He looks good at the front of school. I love him very much.”

Riley Spaulding said: “He’s an important man.”

Harley Ward said: “Colonel Tom did 100 laps before his 100th birthday and people gave him money and he gave it to the NHS. It felt good because the NHS work hard to help as many people as they can.”

Alex Clarke said: “I enjoyed learning about Colonel Tom and World War Two.”

Neveah Roberts added: “It was fun learning about Colonel Tom.”

Teacher Rebecca Mellors said: “Colonel Tom’s story is inspirational and we recognise that there are other people who have similarly found strength and compassion to fulfill endeavours like his, such as Rajinder Singh, 73, and Margaret Payne, 90, who have also raised money for the NHS, teaching us all that age is not a barrier to achieving and accomplishing great things.

“Children recognise that if we all work together and all help each other, the world will be a better place.”

She added: “The children are very proud of their own parents and those who have continued to help others during this difficult time.

“They have impressed us with their resilience and engaged positively with new routines and expectations within our current school provision.”

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