Shoreham charity shop volunteer honours Captain Tom with walk for St Barnabas House hospice

Rachel Freeman usually helps at the charity’s shop in Shoreham High Street on Friday afternoons and was keen to help with fundraising while it is closed.

She said: “I thoroughly enjoy it. The manager, Natalie, is amazing, as she is a great motivator and fun to work with.

“Due to the current situation, my charity shop is currently closed and therefore I wanted to raise as much money as possible.”

The idea built on her regular daily exercise, walking round the square where she and husband Garry have lived for 7½ years.

Rachel explained: “Due to the current social distancing because of Covid-19, I have been walking round my square as part of my daily one-hour exercise.

“I thought it would be great to do 100 laps today for Captain Tom Moore’s 100th birthday. I was on the telephone to my favourite older lady, Genesia, 94, and I was telling her about this and she suggested I did the 100 laps for charity.

“I put down the phone and looked at my messages, as I had told some of my colleagues and friends about this idea, and a colleague responded to say that if I did the 100 laps in fancy dress, she would sponsor me. So it was meant for me to do this.

“The ladybird costume has been kindly loaned to me by lovely Gill, one of my colleagues who also volunteers at the Shoreham branch.

“I asked the neighbours if they could put up drawings of ladybirds, plus miniature ladybirds to stick on shoes, and when they fell off, my legs.

“They also popped out this morning to give me support as I did do the 100 laps at 6.30am, as I was worried about the weather. They also came out and cheered when I walked though the flag finishing line.”

Rachel said she absolutely loves living in Shoreham. Before being furloughed, she worked part time in Brighton as a receptionist.

She set a £100 target but has so far raised £520. Find Rachel’s Ladybird in Isolation Walking Challenge on JustGiving to make a donation.

Second World War veteran Captain Tom Moore has been appointed an honorary colonel to mark his 100th birthday.

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