An eight-year-old boy has cycled the distance from his home in Kent to London's new Nightingale Hospital to raise money for the NHS after being inspired by how the community rallied around after his great-aunt was mugged.

Harry Pledger wanted to raise money for the health service during the coronavirus pandemic after he witnessed the power of social media and fundraising pages following the attack in Sittingbourne.

More than £2,600 was raised for the Medway NHS Foundation Trust after Harry's great-aunt, Maureen Pledger, was robbed and knocked to the ground last month. The thug responsible was jailed this week.

The Grove Park Primary School pupil's dad, Daniel, said: "He was made aware about GoFundMe after my aunt was attacked and he asked if we could try to raise money for the NHS too."

The 39-year-old teacher added: "He has a love of bikes, speedway bikes, motorbikes and cycling and, at around the same time of all of this happening, the Nightingale Hospital was on the news.

"We wondered how many miles it would be to ride there from our house and worked out it would be about 41 miles.

"Harry's target was to try and ride that distance in a week."

Harry and his dad started the challenge on Saturday, May 2 and completed it within a week.

"He's actually done about 50 miles at the moment," Daniel said. "So he's gone over his target.

"We travelled all around Sittingbourne, we went to Upchurch, Murston and even over the Kingsferry Bridge to Sheerness. We did about seven to 10 miles each day."

He added: "Harry loved it. It's the first time I've really taken him on the roads, so he has learned a lot of good life skills - riding on the roads and signalling - so it's been beneficial for him too."

So far, Harry has raised £600 for the NHS, which is £500 more than his initial target.

"We weren't expecting that at all," Daniel said. "Thanks to everyone who has donated. I'm incredibly proud of him."

Harry added: "I wanted to raise money because the NHS staff are working so hard to keep us safe, risking their lives, while we are safe at home. The money is to show our thanks for all they do for us."

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