Bedford School backs Captain Tom 100 challenge with the help of his grandson Benjie

Bedford School has become the first secondary school in the country to pledge its support to the fundraising campaign launched in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore

Bedford School, attended by Captain Tom’s grandson Benjie Ingram-Moore, will be encouraging pupils to take part in the Captain Tom 100, which invites people all over the world to complete a challenge of their choice centred around the number 100 to mark what would have been his 101st birthday.

The initiative, organised by The Captain Tom Foundation with London Marathon Events, follows in the footsteps of Challenge 100, a Bedford Prep School campaign launched in May 2020 which also centered around a 100-themed activity.

Susie Spyropoulos, head of charities at Bedford School, said: “We are thrilled to continue to be involved. In the last year Bedford School boys have taken part in 100-themed challenges with huge success – including 100 pogo jumps and learning 100 words in French.

“This time round we hope Benjie will be looking to take part, possibly offering to read the children’s book based on his grandfather to 100 children at a school we support in Tanzania.”

She added: “From the moment Captain Tom walked his way into the pages of the newspapers, on to our television screens and into all of our hearts, Bedford School has been at the forefront of championing his story. This is just another opportunity for us to get involved.”

Bedford School supported the Ingram-Moore family when the Second World War veteran, who raised more than £39million for the NHS, pledged to walk 100 laps of his Marston Moretaine garden before his 100th birthday.

The school’s Great Hall was the focal point of a huge display of birthday cards sent to the centenarian and the Captain Tom Foundation was picked as one of the school’s charity of the year for 2021.