NHS fundraiser Frank, 6, gets message of support from Captain Tom, 99
NATIONAL treasure Captain Tom has congratulated a Bristol boy for following in his footsteps to raise money for the NHS.
Six-year-old Frank Mills, who has a condition called spina bifida, is being sponsored to walk 10 metres every day using his frame.
He was inspired by 99-year-old war veteran Captain Tom Moore, who has raised more than £28m for the NHS by walking laps of his garden.
Frank, from Victoria Park, has already raised close to £200,000 for his efforts and was given a shout-out on ITV’s Good Morning Britain yesterday morning during a segment with Captain Tom.
Appearing from his home near Bedford, Captain Tom was emotional to receive a surprise Pride of Britain Award from Bristol resident Carol Vorderman, who hosts the annual awards ceremony.
During the live broadcast, the former Countdown star paid tribute to Captain Tom’s “kindness, modesty and utter determination”.
She said he had inspired people of all ages and used Frank as an example, whom she commended for having at that point raised around £180,000 through his JustGiving page.
In response, Captain Tom wished a heartfelt “well done” to Frank.
A video montage featuring tributes from celebrities and NHS staff was then shown to demonstrate how many hearts the veteran has touched, which also included a clip of Frank’s walk.
Carol Vorderman told Captain Tom: “You have inspired everyone, young and old alike, and you’ve given us all something to smile about in these difficult times. And the other thing I love is that you’ve shown us all that being a bit older doesn’t mean you have to be weak or vulnerable.
“You are the embodiment of what it means to be a Pride of Britain winner.”
Speaking to the Post earlier this week, Frank’s mum Janet said he told her “I want to do that!” after seeing Captain Tom with his walker.
She added: “We grabbed hold of that magic moment of motivation 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.”
In an update on the JustGiving page yesterday morning, she said: “We have been completely overwhelmed by the response. People from all over the world have given their support. And we are truly humbled.
“The NHS has been very good to our family over the years, and its value has been brought into sharp focus during the current crisis. It is a privilege to be able to give something back to those who have given so much to us.
“Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Love from the Mills family.”