A CIRENCESTER school has helped launch a campaign to celebrate Captain Sir Tom Moore's life.

One year on from the day (April 6) that the late Captain Tom started his world-famous 100 laps around his garden, his family are inviting the world to celebrate generosity of spirit, the hope and joy he brought to millions and his sense of fun by taking part in a new fundraising initiative over what would have been his 101st birthday weekend.

Powell's C of E Primary School in Cirencester was asked to help launch the campaign by standing, socially distanced and in year bubbles, to form the number 100.

Helen Cooper, headteacher said: “It was lovely to be involved in the launch of this exciting campaign.

“We are fans of Captain Sir Tom and love the idea that his family is continuing his legacy of hope.

“It was wonderful to have the children together to take the photo because it’s been months since we’ve been able to do an activity outside together.

“They were all brilliant and loved the drone going up and down, it was wonderful to see them so happy together again.”

The Captain Tom 100 invites everyone to dream up a challenge based around the number 100 and complete it anytime and anywhere over Captain Tom’s birthday weekend (Friday, April 30, to Bank Holiday Monday, May 3) to raise funds or donate to the charity of their choice or The Captain Tom Foundation.

Everyone is encouraged to join in the Captain Tom 100 and “Do it Your Way”; whether it’s walking 100 steps or running 100 metres, scoring 100 goals, baking 100 cakes, climbing 100 stairs, hopping 100 laps of the garden or park, building 100 sandcastles, writing a 100-word poem, telling 100 people “Tomorrow will be a good day”, flipping 100 pancakes – anything at all, inside or outside (but in line with current government social distancing guidelines).

Once supporters have chosen their Captain Tom 100 challenge, they are invited to fundraise or donate to The Captain Tom Foundation or another charity of their choice and share their 100 on social media, using #CaptainTom100.

Captain Tom’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, said: “It was wonderful to have Powell’s school take part in the launch campaign with their 100 photo.

“The children and teachers were so enthusiastic and my father would have loved the photo.

“He was a great believer that there are no limits and we should encourage our children to follow their ambitions whatever they may be.

“We are so grateful for the incredible support we have received since my father started his record-breaking fundraising walk and that his message of hope was shared with the world.

“Captain Tom was very proud to be able to leave behind the growing legacy of his foundation and the Captain Tom 100 feels like the perfect way to celebrate the hope and joy we know he inspired in so many.

“He would have loved the idea that everyone could get involved and that together we would ensure that ‘Tomorrow will be a good day’.

“We look forward to celebrating with you and seeing how you do the Captain Tom 100 – your way.”

Captain Tom would have turned 101 on Friday, April 30, 2021.

To find out more about the Captain Tom 100 challenge, visit www.captaintom100.com.

Drone imagery supplied by bexmedia.net and with thanks to Digital Hubbub.