A seven-year-old schoolboy from Stoke Poges is one of several 'community heroes' who will have their names featured on the side of a high-speed Intercity Express Great Western Railway train.

Henry Cleary was among those chosen as BBC Make a Difference Superstars for helping others during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The chosen few were selected across the country by judges following a link-up between the BBC and train operator GWR to celebrate Covid community heroes.

Henry became so concerned about the plight of the homeless during lockdown that the youngster from Stoke Poges set himself the mammoth challenge of running a marathon in just 10 days.

His target was to raise £262 – £10 per mile for homeless charity Crisis. But to date the Star Wars-loving schoolboy has raised almost £11,000 with the total continuing to rise. He even managed to complete his marathon in just nine days, with a sprint finish at the end.

He was cheered on every day by neighbours and key worker children from his school, who took to the streets to clap Henry as he ran past.

He said: “I was inspired by Captain Tom to take up a challenge that would be really, really tough. I researched charities on Google and found Crisis. They want to end homelessness and keep people off the streets after coronavirus and that’s exactly what I want to help them do.”

Henry’s dad Jamie said: “I have run marathons in the past and since lockdown Henry and I have been running round the village together, so he got the bug. At first we tried to dissuade him from this massive challenge as we thought it might be too much for him, but he sent me an email outlining all the reasons we should let him do it and we were convinced.”

Henry's mum, Emily added: “Henry has always been concerned about people sleeping rough and often asks for a ‘doggy bag’ after we have a meal so he can give food to people we may have passed on the way.”