A group of youngsters are set to take on the task of running 3km in memory of their great grandad.

Ellie, Harry, Beau and Betsy Lain were left devastated after great grandad Norman sadly passed away following a battle with coronavirus at the age of 92.

Before he died, Norman had requested not to have any flowers at his funeral and instead welcomed donations to the Royal British Legion, a charity close to his heart.

Ellie, 11, has joined forces with seven-year-old brother Harry and cousins Beau, two, and six-month-old Betsy to plan a fun way of raising funds.

The eager youngsters will be pounding the pavements, either running or walking some of the way, on March 27.

Hannah Lain, Ellie and Harry’s mum, is bursting with pride.

Hannah, 28, said: “Normally, we would have got a bunch of flowers from the kids for the funeral but Norman made a point of saying he didn’t want that.

“My daughter, Ellie, suggested a fun run so we could raise even more money in their great grandad’s memory and they have set a target of running 3km next month.

“Beau and Betsy, the two younger ones and my sister-in-law Rebecca’s children, will not run the full 3km but they are still wanting to get involved in some way.

“I am unbelievably proud of them for suggesting something like this in the first place.”

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The youngsters had originally set themselves a goal of raising £100, but they have already smashed that target after banking more than £1,000 despite the fundraiser being more than a month away.

Hannah, of Langdon Hills, added: “We have been overwhelmed by the amount of people that are coming forward to raise money.

“The children are gobsmacked after already raising more than £1,000 and they now hope they will be able to raise even more.

“When schools are able to get back to some form of normality, the kids would also like to do a cake sale. Their great grandad would be so proud.”

The kids’ fundraising for the Royal British Legion comes after great grandad Norman had an affinity with the charity.

Hannah admitted: “Norman was involved with a local group which was run by the Royal British Legion. That group kept him going, so he would be overjoyed with the amount raised so far and see the kids as heroes.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/normansminitroopers.

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