County Durham RAF veteran walking 95 laps around field to raise money

An RAF veteran in County Durham is raising money by walking 95 laps around a school field.

94 year-old Corporal Donald Elsom, from Annfield Plain, is aiming to finish on his birthday next week.

He started in September but took a break over winter. He has since restarted the challenge.

He is doing it at Catchgate Primary School for Macmillan Cancer Support and said: "Well, Captain Tom did 100 laps of his garden when he was 100 but my garden isn't big enough. If he hadn't done 100 laps of his garden, I'd probably wouldn't have thought about doing 95 laps before my 95th birthday.

"It's gone alright. I sometimes get children and they're fun.

"In 2012, I had a serious cancer operation and Macmillan knew that I would need extra bedding, clothing and all sorts of things and they actually funded that at the time.

"My aim was to get £1,000 when I started and I'm nearly at £2,000 now. It makes me feel really happy that people have donated. It keeps me going and that's one of the reasons why. I've got this target and I've past it.

"So many people have been so good that I promised I'd do 95 laps of the field so I'm not letting anyone down. My real aim is that I don't let anyone down."

You can donate to Donald's fundraiser on his Just Giving page.