County Durham’s answer to Captain Tom is walking 95 laps of his local school field to raise money for charity ahead of his 95th birthday next week.

RAF veteran Corporal Donald Elsom will complete his last lap next Wednesday (March 13) at Catchcate Primary School in Annfield Plain, County Durham, before celebrating his big birthday on Thursday.

The 94-year-old, who served from 1950 to 1955 in then-Malaya and Singapore, was inspired by Captain Tom’s feat of walking 100 laps of his garden before turning 100 during the first Covid lockdown.

He started his challenge last September to avoid the winter months and recommenced his laps last month.

Don Elsom said: “If it hadn’t have been for Captain Tom walking around his garden I probably wouldn’t have got the idea.

The Northern Echo: Don Elsom.Don Elsom. (Image: PR)

“I had this idea about walking 95 times somewhere and someone suggested the school field. I went into the school and they said ‘yes, that’d be fine’.

“My family were quite insistent that I wasn’t going to do it in the winter if it was icy, so I started last September, and did it until about the middle of October then I started again in February.”

Don has been thrilled by the support so far, with kids sometimes joining him for his walk and pupils cheering him on as he passes one of the classrooms.

“Sometimes I get some children who walk with me. When I walk past them I get a round of applause.

“As far as walking goes, I have been fit for quite some time.

“When I finish, I think it’ll be time for me to put my walking boots away somewhere.”

Don was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2012, and was supported by Macmillan Cancer Support, who he is now raising money for.

“In 2012 I had a very serious cancer operation and when I was discharged from hospital Macmillan were there for me.

The Northern Echo: Don is supporting Macmillan Cancer SupportDon is supporting Macmillan Cancer Support (Image: PR)

“With Captain Tom walking around raising money for the NHS I thought I would raise money for Macmillan.

“When I started my target was £1,000. I’m within touching distance of £2,000 now.”

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Asked how he’d celebrate his completing his challenge he said: “I might have a toto of whiskey but I would much rather have a glass of orange juice. Champagne isn’t for me.”

Don has raised £1,980 and hopes he can reach £2,500 by the time he’s finished.

His JustGiving page can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/page/don-elsom-95.