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A four-year-old child with a disability has run over 100 miles to collect funds for his school, earning him the nickname ‘mini’Captain Tom‘. 

Jacob Fallows, who lives with cerebral palsy, completed laps around his school’s playground during January alongside other kids, friends, and family, raising £1,180—more than the £1,000 target.

He completed an impressive 158km – approximately 5km each day – using his walking frame and maintaining a smile throughout.

Jacob and his group of runners covered a total distance of 1,234km – approximately the same as running from John O’Groats in northern Scotland to Calais inFrance. 

He drew inspiration from his father, Lee, who participated in a charity run three years back. Since then, the family has come together annually to back a local initiative.

Lee said: ‘We take pleasure in fundraising for worthy causes, and that is the main objective..

It’s also showing that our young son may indeed have disabilities, and there are certain things he is unable to do – but there are numerous activities he can accomplish.

One of them is uniting individuals.

The family’s initial fundraising events in 2024 and 2025 collected funds for Branch House, a charity that has provided support to Jacob over the years.

When the child turned four and began primary school in his hometown of Bow, Devon, the family wanted to collect funds for school excursions and supplies.

“Jacob began attending mainstream primary school in September, so he’s halfway through his reception year,” said Lee.

We contacted the school and inquired about ways we could contribute. They had requested that we possibly gather funds for the Friends of Bow School.

They back programs and the supply of tools that can improve the curriculum — meaning field trips, materials, and additional extras that make school more interesting and lively.

I aimed to make it accessible to every student in the primary school, allowing all of them to participate and engage.

We began on January 1 and concluded on January 31.

We have received many emails from students, their families, friends, and grandparents. They take a walk in Dartmoor and cover 15 kilometers, which is then added to the overall distance.

On 31 January, in total, we had traveled a great distance.

The family is extremely proud of Jacob, as well as all the students and families who participated.

“When we organize these fundraising events, it unites the community, and that’s truly rewarding,” remarked Lee.

The conventional aspects of a community, such as looking after one another and participating actively, remain highly significant.

We have collected more than £1,100 already, which is truly amazing – but I aim to collect even more!

• To contribute to Jacob’s fundraising campaign, clickhere.  

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