Veteran walking 95 laps ahead of birthday

A 94-year-old RAF veteran is walking 95 times around a primary school field to raise money for charity.

Cpl Donald Elsom, from Annfield Plain, in County Durham, took on the challenge to help raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Mr Elsom, who had cancer himself, told BBC Radio Newcastle he would be "very glad" to complete the challenge, with the final lap set to happen a day before his 95th birthday.

Granddaughter Jade Sorroll said Mr Elsom had always been "quite driven" and even considered doing a sky dive before deciding to walk.

Mr Elsom started doing the laps at Catchgate Primary School last September.

He took a break over the winter period before restarting last Monday, despite being recently diagnosed with a damaged nerve in his left leg.

"That hasn't made it any easier, but I'm still managing to do it," Mr Elsom said.

He has done 67 laps so far, with the final one set to take place on 13 March.

"It's harder for me to get from my house to the school than it is to walk round the sports field because it's uphill all the way to the school," Mr Elsom said.

There has been plenty of support so far, with children walking with Mr Elsom or clapping for him as he walks past.

"I shall miss going to the school and talking to the children, but I shall be very glad to achieve the 95 laps around the field," he said.

Mr Elsom was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2012.

His granddaughter Jade Sorroll, 35, said he was "a very determined man" and kept on going.

"We got the news and it was very heart-breaking, but we didn't even have time for it to sink in before he was just carrying on as normal."

Mr Elsom said the help which he and other family members who had cancer received from Macmillan made him want to give back.

He has raised over £1,400 already - stressing "every penny" will go to the charity.

"Macmillan have always been there for members of my family," he added.

Ms Sorroll and her family will come up from Staffordshire to support him as he wraps up the challenge.

His daughter, who lives in Gibraltar and is currently receiving treatment for cancer, is also hoping to make it for the big day.

"People say to me, what is the secret to living to 94 and being able to get there," Mr Elsom said.

"There is no secret.

"Obviously, my age comes into my own personal things, but age itself is just a number that starts the day you're born and stops the day you die."

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