Six-year-old boy with spina bifida raises £70,000 for NHS charities by walking 10 metres a day

Frank Mills only started walking 18 months ago

A six-year-old boy with spina bifida has raised £70,000 for the NHS by walking 10 metres a day with his frame.

Frank Mills, from Bristol, only started walking 18 months ago and struggles to complete even short distances because of his condition.

The NHS states that spina bifida is when a baby's spine and spinal cord do not develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine.

However, after seeing Captain Tom Moore achieve 100 laps of his garden the young boy felt inspired to raise money for healthcare workers on the front line.

Frank’s story went viral online after his mother, Janet, shared a Facebook post about his journey and while he started off with the aim of raising £99 – the age of Captain Moore – for NHS Charities Together, he has since surpassed £70,000.

“Frank’s enthusiasm was not just surprising but invigorating and as he shouted at one of our neighbours to sponsor him, we thought why not? Maybe we could get some friends and family to support Frank,” Janet said.

“We quickly put something up on JustGiving and shared the link on Facebook, and from that moment it took off! We cannot believe how people are responding.”

As well as having spina bifida, Frank was born prematurely – at just under 25 weeks – and spent nearly five months in hospital.

Frank’s parents said they are extremely grateful for the “amazing care and dedication” NHS staff showed their son and are continuing to provide for patients with coronavirus.

“We have called this challenge Frank’s Finish Line Fundraiser!” said Tony, Frank’s father.

“At a time of great national anxiety, Captain Tom has given us a really good news story when we desperately needed one, especially inspiring our little lad Frank. Like a lot of people, we have responded to Tom because he’s simply done what he could and is supporting a great cause, so dear to our nation’s hearts at this crazy time.”

Tony continued by thanking everyone for their donations and being so generous at a time when many are struggling financially.

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported Frank from the bottom of our hearts. It restores your faith in humanity,” he said.

The money donated to Frank’s fundraiser will be given to NHS Charities Together – an umbrella organisation that supports health service charities.

You can donate to Frank’s campaign here.