Bedford School has pledged its support to a fundraising campaign launched in memory of Second World War veteran, Captain Sir Tom Moore.
The independent boarding and day school for boys aged 7 to 18 years is attended by Captain Tom’s grandson, Benjie Ingram-Moore.
The campaign, Captain Tom 100, invites people to undertake a challenge on 30 April centred around the number 100, to mark what would have been Captain Tom’s 101st birthday.
The number 100 is significant because on 6 April 2020, Captain Tom set out to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday, raising almost £39m for the NHS Covid-19 appeal. He died on 2 February 2021.
Doing his part for the campaign, Benjie is looking to read the children’s book based on his grandfather to 100 children at a school in Tanzania.
The campaign, organised by The Captain Tom Foundation with London Marathon Events, follows in the footsteps of Challenge 100, a Bedford Prep School campaign launched in May 2020, which also centred around a 100-themed activity.
Our pupils have a long and proud tradition of working hard and undertaking various activities for charity and I’m sure this time round the boys will enjoy getting creative again and coming up with new ways of raising money – Susie Spyropoulos, Bedford School
Susie Spyropoulos, head of charities at Bedford School, said: “From the moment Captain Tom walked his way into the pages of the newspapers, on to our television screens and into all of our hearts, Bedford School has been at the forefront of championing his story.
“In the last year Bedford School boys have taken part in 100-themed challenges with huge success – including 100 pogo jumps and learning 100 words in French.
“It was the natural step for us to take to continue the inspirational work and inspire hope when it was needed the most.
“Our pupils have a long and proud tradition of working hard and undertaking various activities for charity and I’m sure this time round the boys will enjoy getting creative again and coming up with new ways of raising money.”
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