Tweedbank lad emulates Captain Sir Tom Moore's fundraising efforts

The seven-year-old from Tweedbank is running laps of his home town’s loch every day for a month, which will add up to a marathon distance.

Leo, whose mum Kim is a nurse and dad Matt is a paramedic, told us: “The late Captain Sir Tom Moore has inspired me to push my limits. The NHS has been brilliant throughout the pandemic and are true heroes and I'm completing this challenge with a little help from the friends of the BGH and the Borders Barmy Army”.

Proud dad Matt told us on Monday: “Leo was just sitting on his bed and started wondering about what he could do to emulate his hero and help the poorly children at the hospital.

“His first idea was a bit out there. He wanted to do 100 laps of the garden, 100 laps of the loch and 100 laps of the football pitches, but it was a bit much.

“He’s now five days into his challenge and sticking to it brilliantly.”

Leo said his parents are also his heroes.

Kim is a paediatric nurse at the Borders General Hospital and Matt is an advanced paramedic with the Scottish Ambulance Service. Both have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic.

Lee Myers, a colleague of Matt and a member of fundraising team the Borders Barmy Army, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Leo with his fundraising. Leo has got off to an incredible start already, smashing his fundraising target in aid of the Children’s Ward at the hospital.”

He’s currently raised £280 of his original £100 target … well done Leo!

To sponsor Leo, click here.