Young Harry pushes up for charity and earns himself a medal

Five-year-old Harry Banks undertook the challenge of completing 100 push-ups a day throughout November for Cancer Research UK.

The energetic Swinton lad, who said he had wanted to do something special for people suffering with a cruel illness, was rewarded with a medal from the cancer charity.

Dad David Banks said he could not have been prouder to see his son raise £760 for the charity in total.

“I’m over the moon with our Harry’s achievement,” Mr Banks said.

“For such a young boy to want to do something so nice for others is testament to his heart of gold personality.

“He wanted to do it for Cancer Research because of the people that have been affected by it.

“Harry first spotted someone doing the challenge on my phone and told me he was determined to follow suit.

“It started with him doing 20 push-ups a day but then he could easily do the 100.

“Harry then did the full 100 push-ups a day throughout November — with no fuss — and our family were beaming with happiness for him.

“He’s a really good lad.”

Mr Banks said his son had been supported by teachers and schoolmates at Swinton Fitzwilliam Primary school throughout the challenge. “Harry received a lot of support from school who were brilliant in pushing him on for the cause,” he said.

“Our family was really emotional when he completed the push ups in November.

“Cancer Research provided him with a medal for his heroic efforts and he was delighted to be given a keepsake for many years to come for what he did.

“It started with a kind thought that became a wonderful gesture to a charity.

“I think he wants to do more fundraising challenges in the future and we will support him every step of the way.

“Ultimately, he really enjoyed doing it and he knows he will help people in need which any parent would be proud of.”

Nicki Embleton, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Yorkshire, said: “We are very grateful to young Harry for his amazing feat — and to all of those who generously supported him to raise such a large amount.  

“He really deserves his medal after all those push ups!

“With every single push up he made, and every single pound he raised, Harry has played his part in helping Cancer Research UK work towards a world where people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.   

“If anyone else in Rotherham has been inspired by Harry to now play their part to help beat cancer, and there are so many other, and less strenuous ways, to do so, just visit cruk.org.”