A Second World War veteran has taken inspiration from Captain Sir Tom Moore to raise cash for charity to mark his 100th birthday.

Charlie Pallett, from Shepway, Maidstone, will be celebrating the milestone on Tuesday, April 6, and is trying to raise as much as he can before then by singing his favourite song in aid of Help for Heroes.

Charlie Pallet singing 'Keep Right on to the End of the Road' to raise money for Help for Heroes

The retired guillotine operator does not want cards or presents for his birthday. Instead, he would like to raise money for war veterans like himself.

The great-great-grandfather has recorded one of his favourite wartime tunes, Keep Right on to the End of the Road, and is asking people to listen to his song and then donate to Help for Heroes.

Charlie was born in Stanley, Derbyshire and his family moved to Burnley, Lancashire, when he was still a baby.

After leaving school, he worked in the coal mines but after being sacked, he became a driver.

In 1939, on his 18th birthday, Charlie was drafted into the army and stationed in Maidstone, where he met his wife-to-be, Madge. They married in 1943.

Charlie spent eight years in the army and was discharged in 1946 at the end of the Second World War.

He then worked as a driver, labourer, bus driver, postman, and ended up as a guillotine operator in a local printers.

Madge and Charlie were married for 76 years, but Madge passed away in June 2019 at the age of 95.

Charlie has been inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore's fundraising campaign for the NHS but wanted to raise money for a cause close to his own heart.

Help for Heroes is a British charity which provides lifelong recovery support to service personnel who have been wounded or injured in the line of duty, and to their families.

The dad-of-three isn't a professional singer but has always enjoyed picking out a tune, and chose "Keep Right on to the End of the Road" as it was popular during his time in the army.

The 99-year-old said: "I chose this song as I'm also getting to the end of my own road.

"I want to raise money for all the wounded soldiers in the wars. I wanted to do something to help the wounded veterans."

He aimed to raise £1,000 before his 100th birthday. However, he has already beaten that by a few pounds and hopes to add a few more.

Charlie has three daughters - Leonora, Doreen and Yvonne - and five grandchildren - Darren, Leigh, Gavin, Amanda and Charlie.

He also has seven great-grandchildren - Courtenay, Ryan, Jordan, who is in the army, Ella, Tyler, Scarlett, Monique and Liam - and a great-great-granddaughter, Summer.

If you would like to help, you can donate via the JustGiving page here.

You can also find Charlie's Facebook page here.

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