Former Doncaster journalist joins RSPCA Captain Tom challenge and urges others to sign up

A former Doncaster journalist has signed up for a fundraising challenge to honour Captain Sir Tom Moore – and is urging others to sign up for the RSPCA campaign.
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Animal-lovers are being asked to take on Captain Tom 100 Challenge to raise funds for the animal welfare charity.

The challenge is a tribute to inspirational Captain Sir Tom who captured the hearts of millions at the start of the pandemic last year when he completed 100 laps of his garden to raise money for charity.

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People who sign up to the challenge are asked to do a challenge based around the number of 100 over the weekend of 30 April to 3 May.

Cheryl Hague and Nicola Bates.Cheryl Hague and Nicola Bates.
Cheryl Hague and Nicola Bates.

Among those signed up to raise money is former Doncaster Advertiser news reporter Cheryl Hague, 45, of Handsworth, Sheffield, who is completing a 100k run with an animal theme with five of her friends who are members of Handsworth Roadhogs Running Club.

She will be joined by Nicola Bates, of Handsworth, Lee Thompson, of Woodhouse, Christian Hopkins, of Mosborough, Mick Waring of Unstone, North Derbyshire, Adam Lenton of Bakewell, also North Derbyshire.

Cheryl said: "As a runner I was keen to incorporate my hobby into the charity challenge and knew a few of my running pals would be happy to take part with me now we can run as a group of six.

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"So we decided to run 100k between us which is just over 10 miles each. We are all animal lovers and to keep in with the RSPCA theme we thought we would take photographs of 100 animals on our way.

"We have planned a route to help our challenge including visiting Rother Valley Country Park to get some birdlife and a field where we know there are plenty of bullocks so hopefully it won't be too difficult.

"I am running the Virgin London Marathon to raise much-needed funds for the RSPCA next April so hopefully this might kick-start my training."

And youngster Robyn Peerless, aged six, of Kent, will be raising money for the RSPCA by drawing 100 pictures of people’s pets.

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Her mum Catherine said: “Robyn loves to draw and is a massive animal lover too so this challenge is perfect for her - she is really looking forward to it.”

Animals are getting in on the action too - with rabbit Humphrey attempting 100 binkies, where rabbits jump and twist in mid-air, to raise funds for the RSPCA’s Manchester and Salford branch.

Emily Lyle, events manager at the RSPCA, said: “The pandemic has impacted our ability to hold fundraising events during the last year so it is great that people are getting on board and raising money in their own way for charities across the country.

“We’re calling on all animal-lovers to join in and raise as much as possible for the RSPCA in this unique challenge. It is entirely up to you as to what you do - it could be walking 100 steps or running 100 metres, baking 100 cakes, climbing 100 stairs, hopping 100 laps of the garden, flipping 100 pancakes - anything at all!

For more information and to sign up to raise money for the RSPCA, visit www.rspca.org.uk/captaintom100.