A remarkable four-year-old boy with cerebral palsy has completed an incredible feat by running over 100 miles throughout January to raise vital funds for his primary school, inspiring his local community and earning the affectionate nickname 'mini Captain Tom'.
Jacob's Inspirational Journey
Jacob Fallows, from the town of Bow in Devon, took on the challenge of running laps around his school playground every day during January, supported by his walking frame and always with a beaming smile. He managed to cover an impressive distance of 158 kilometres, which equates to approximately five kilometres per day, far exceeding initial expectations.
Family Tradition of Fundraising
The young boy was inspired by his father, Lee, who completed a charity run three years ago, establishing an annual tradition where the family comes together to support worthwhile local causes. This year, with Jacob turning four and starting mainstream primary school in September, the focus shifted to raising money specifically for his school.
Lee explained their motivation: 'We enjoy raising money for good causes and that's the primary thing. It's also demonstrating that our little boy might well be disabled, and there are things that he can't do - but there's a huge amount of things he can do. One of those is bringing people together.'
Community Comes Together
The fundraiser quickly expanded beyond Jacob's individual efforts to become a community-wide initiative. Students, families, friends, and even grandparents from the primary school joined in, contributing their own distances through activities like walks on Dartmoor.
The collective achievement was staggering:
- Jacob personally ran 158km (over 100 miles)
- The total distance covered by all participants reached 1,234km
- This collective distance is roughly equivalent to running from John O'Groats in northern Scotland to Calais in France
Fundraising Success
The initiative has so far raised £1,180, surpassing their original £1,000 target, with money going to the Friends of Bow School to support enrichment activities, school trips, and equipment that enhances the educational experience for all students.
Lee expressed his pride in both his son and the community response: 'When we do these fundraisers, it brings the community together, and that's really nice. Traditional elements of community, looking out for each other and getting involved is still very much important. We've raised over £1,100 so far, which is absolutely brilliant - but I want to raise more!'
Looking to the Future
This year's school fundraiser follows previous successful campaigns in 2024 and 2025 that raised money for Branch House, a charity that has supported Jacob throughout his life. The family's commitment to charitable work continues to grow alongside Jacob's own development and integration into school life.
The story of this determined four-year-old and his supportive community serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through determination, family support, and community spirit, regardless of physical challenges.
