Frankie five wants to emulate NHS charity hero Captain Tom

Frankie Moffatt aged five is running 36 miles to raise money for the NHS heroes

But they are not complaining, as the energetic five year old is proving a real inspiration.

Forget Superman or Batman, this youngster's hero is Captain Tom Moore and he is on a mission to be just like him by raising as much money as he can for the NHS charities.

Dad Jon says: " His mum and I are working from home and Frankie and his sister Pippa are doing schoolwork but we broke off to watch Capt Tom finish his challenge.

Frankie Moffatt and his sister Pippa are running to raise money for NHS heroes

"He was asking questions about it and after we explained he just said he wanted to do something.

"He does a lot of running and before the lockdown took part in the Park Run in Preston's Avenham Park every week so we decided on a run."

Frankie set himself a challenge of running 36 miles over 24 days and a target of raising £250.

Half way through, he has captured the attention of scores and already notched up £1,575 via his Just Giving site.

Jon, a compliance officer for a housing association and wife Steph an auditor, are both keen runners so along with Pippa, four, they are trying to get out as a family to run each day... with Frankie leading the way.

Dad said: " We are really proud of him. He is doing so well and is enjoying it. There are quite a few trails where we live in Bucksaw Village, near Chorley, so he is working out his route then he's off with me following behind tracking him on his GPS.

He was aiming for 1.5 miles a day but he just done 2.7 which is really good. He has always loved to be outdoors so it has been a bit weird being in lockdown but we are doing our daily exercise."

The couple have been amazed by the support they have received.

Frankie is in the reception class at Euxton Primrose Hill Primary so school mentioned his challenge in the weekly newsletter and word spread.

Jon said: " 100 pennies is a lot of money to a five year old and he is too young to fully appreciate it but what he has raised has been wonderful.

"We are charting his progress on the site and we are now making a video diary so he can look back on it later in life and realise what an achievement he has made."

Jon had been training for the now cancelled Blackpool marathon on Sunday and was also planning to do a 100k run.

Anyone who wants to support the young runner can do at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/frankie-moffatt4