The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
What have Second World War pilot Douglas Bader and chart topping American singer Lizzo got in common?
At first glance, not a lot, but for one Spalding schoolgirl they are part of her mammoth fundraising challenge.
Eleanor Perkins (9) has chosen to highlight 100 heroes in honour of Capt Sir Tom Moore who raised millions of pounds for the NHS.
The pupil at Spalding Primary School has already overtaken her fundraising target with a Facebook page celebrating 100 heroes in 100 words.
The challenge was inspired by Sir Tom and his 100 laps of his garden during lockdown which attracted universal acclaim.
Eleanor (pictured) is raising money for the NHS Charities Together and set a £250 target – but she topped that within days of starting.
“I was inspired by Captain Tom and wanted to do something to help,” said Eleanor.
She is posting 100 words on one of her heroes each day and the whole experience is also an education for her.
“Eleanor had around 25 people on her list initially and she is always learning about new people,” said her mum Jodie.
Eleanor is an avid watcher of Horrible Histories and some of her heroes, including Douglas Bader and wartime code-breaker Alan Turing, are included in the list so far.
And Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press, is also included as Eleanor loves both reading and writing.
He is in very good company with singers, actors, Nobel prize winners and sporting heroes all included in Eleanor’s list.
Number one on her heroes list was Captain Tom himself and this week jazz musician and Second World War spy Josephine Baker was added.
“I love Josephine because she was musical, she helped England win the war and thought of a really cool way to do that,” said Eleanor.
She has been supported by friends and family and has a Just Giving page as well as the Facebook blog which are both called Eleanor’s 100 Heroes in 100 Words.
