How a big-hearted schoolboy has been helping people in his Derbyshire village during lockdown

Thomas Rankin, 13, has been helping out in Morton, near Clay Cross, since the start of the crisis.

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His proud parents Tianne and Steven Rankin said: “He volunteered to start taking newspapers and essential shopping such as milk and bread to people in the village that couldn’t get to the village shop like normal due to being elderly or shielding.

“He did this purely on a voluntary basis as he wanted to do his bit to help out the vulnerable residents of Morton.

"He has done this every day since lockdown began in March and is still continuing to deliver newspapers 15 weeks later.

"He gets up every morning to make sure they get their papers first thing and doesn’t complain as he knows how much they value his help.

"He has also kept on top of all his school work that has been sent through online from St Mary’s Catholic High School, regularly getting emails and letters of praise for the effort he is putting into his studies despite having to self motivate himself at home.”

His parents added: “We are very proud of him for the help he has given those who need it and we know he will remember what he did to help out during the uncertain times of Covid-19.”

- Do you know of any other Derbyshire lockdown heroes? Send details to [email protected]

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