KEIGHLEY has rallied in support of a national fundraising challenge launched today in honour of the late Captain Sir Tom Moore.

A host of activities has been arranged across his home town in tribute to the war veteran, who last year captured the nation's hearts when he walked laps of his garden to mark his 100th birthday – and raised a staggering £38.9 million for NHS charities. He died in February.

The Captain Tom 100 Challenge – a weekend of fundraising – was officially launched at Lord’s Cricket Ground today by members of his family.

They presented Guy Lavender, chief executive and secretary of the MCC, with a framed photo of Captain Sir Tom – which was taken by Gavin Bond.

The official start of challenges up and down the country, for a number of charities, began with the ringing of the ground's famous five-minute bell in the iconic pavilion. The bell is only normally rung before the start of a match at Lord’s.

A devoted cricket fan, Captain Sir Tom – who would have been 101 today – was awarded honorary life membership of the MCC last summer and was invited to ring the bell during a Test match at Lord’s.

The Captain Tom 100 Challenge was announced earlier this month by the foundation set-up in his name.

People of all ages are taking part in challenges based around the number 100.

Captain Sir Tom's daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, said at the launch: "Cricket was one of my father’s lifelong passions and it is truly special to be here at Lord’s to launch the Captain Tom 100. It’s so exciting to see all the challenges happening across the country and worldwide – from baking to knitting, running to swimming, singing to litter picking, walking and skipping – anything and everything to fundraise for so many great causes. My father would have loved it. Thank you to everyone."

Children at Holycroft Primary School and Nursery in Keighley have been taking part in a Captain Tom Week.

The youngsters participated in a number of activities based around both Captain Sir Tom and his 100 laps for the NHS charities.

They ran around the school track 100 times and took part each day in 100-second quizzes – with all the questions relating to the number 100 and covering maths, language and history.

The school as a whole managed 5,730 laps of the track, equivalent to 53.29 kilometres.

Pupils have also been attempting to complete 100 different age-related exercises.

As part of their geography and history, they looked at the Second World War and Keighley in the past and also focused on Burma, where Captain Sir Tom served in WWII.

Even the school meals had a Captain Sir Tom theme – including a Burma Bhuna and Tom’s Tikka!

Yesterday, the children helped raise money for NHS charities by taking part in a Daily Mile Day, each running as much as they could.

At Lees Primary, year-two children have Yorkshire as this term's project so they decided to take part in the challenge to raise funds for the NHS as well as learn about 'a true Yorkshireman'. They have each completed 100 laps of the playground and taken part in other activities. Today the front of the school was decorated with a tribute to Captain Sir Tom. A Just Giving page was set-up with a target of £100, but more than £460 has been raised.

Merlin Top Primary and Airedale Hospital were each asked by the Captain Tom Foundation to create a ‘100’, using people. The pupils at Merlin Top spelt out ‘Tomorrow will be a good day’. Photos will be used in promotional materials across the weekend.

Today, members of the Yorkshire Regiment cycled 100km from Catterick Garrison to Town Hall Square where they were greeted by the town mayor, Cllr Peter Corkindale, and MP Robbie Moore. The 15 cyclists gathered around the war memorial before heading into the civic centre to hear a Zoom message from Hannah.

Cllr Corkindale said: "It has been an honour to be involved in the Captain Tom 100 Challenge and to see all the fantastic people of Keighley raising money for charity. Captain Tom would have been proud of everyone’s efforts."