A caring four-year-old boy completed a baking challenge for a local charity after being inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore, the British Army veteran whose fundraising inspired the nation during lockdown in the run-up to his 100th birthday.

Jack Beard, of Blidworth, baked 100 cakes as he took part in the Captain Tom 100 Challenge.

The youngster raised £120 for the Emily Harris Foundation, a charity that supports the neonatal unit at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton.  

The Captain Tom 100 Challenge coincided with what would have been Sir Captain Tom Moore’s 101st birthday, encouraging people to undertake a challenge involving the number 100 to raise money for charity in memory of the veteran who died in February.

Jack had heard about Captain Sir Tom and told his mother, Rebecca Gregory, that he wanted to raise money for poorly babies.

Rebecca said: “Jack wanted to raise money for poorly babies by baking cakes.

“As he’s only four, we thought this was a nice thing for him to do and set a target of £50. He doubled that and we are over the moon with how much he raised.”

The money went to the Emily Harris Foundation, which aims to provide support to parents to relieve the hardship and stress caused by having a baby on the neonatal unit, alongside providing funding for staff training and development where this is not funded by the NHS. 

The charity has been supporting the unit for more than 12 years and during that time has raised over £200,000.

It was formed in tribute to Emily Nasia Harris, who was born six weeks prematurely on 5th September, 2006 , weighing 3lb ½oz. 

Against the odds, Emily survived for nearly five months, spending much of her time in hospital.

Clare Harris, foundation manager at the Emily Harris Foundation and Emily’s mother, who is pictured, top, receiving cheque from Jack, said: “We are delighted with Jack’s efforts. As a small charity we are reliant on the generosity of our supporters and for a young child like Jack to be inspired by Captain Sir Tom and wanting do something to help others in need is a lovely thing.”

Other supporters of the foundation have also signed up to complete challenges and made donations as part of the Captain Tom 100 Challenge to help the charity.

Daniella Coles, one of the foundation trustees, committed to walking for 100 minutes every day during May and Emily’s grandmother, June Brown, of Bestwood Village, walked 100 laps around her bungalow for the challenge.

To find out more about the foundation visit www.emilyharrisfoundation.org where there is still time to take part in a challenge.