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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Peter Craig & Sam Elliott

Coronavirus: Hero teacher walks five miles a day to deliver free school meals

A kind-hearted assistant headmaster has been walking five miles a day to deliver meals to more than 100 of his in-need pupils.

Zane Powles, a teacher at Western primary school in Grimsby, gets his trainers on make sure no child who needs food goes without.

Other staff are delivering food by car to those who live further away from the school, report the Grimsby Telegrapah.

Many of the children are vulnerable and may not be fed without his extra support.

He says some have been even asking for extra homework while they are off school due to the coronavirus lock down.

Have you got a coronavirus good news story? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk

Zane Powles says he just wants to make sure the pupils have a decent meal (SWNS)

The former Grenadier Guard, who was part of The Queen's Guard, said: "I am doing this so that the children and their parents don't have to come out to collect their meals.

"Otherwise they would be passing other people in the street and it makes sure they get at least one good meal a day."

Other schools in North East Lincolnshire have asked parents to collect meals from schools.

Meanwhile, some schools will be switching to a weekly collection of food, including cheese and bread.

Currently there is a daily delivery of a roll, cake, apple and crisps.

Some are asking for extra homework, he says (MEN MEDIA)

Zane said: "By delivering it myself I can check on vulnerable children. We don't want children having to come out of their homes. The fewer people on the streets the less  coronavirus  there is on the street.

"I usually knock on the door and wait in the garden and can check they are being well cared for. It is knock, drop and leave," he told Grimsby Live.

Other staff members deliver to homes in Cleethorpes, Immingham and Nunsthorpe by car.

Zane added: "The parents and children are pleased to see me and some have asked if I could also do some shopping for them. Some are asking for homework, which I am happy to take to them."

The former serviceman is a fitness fan and a member of the Cleethorpes Tri-Club. Last year he cycled 1,200 miles in two weeks in aid of the Cat Zero charity supporting young people trying to find work.

The Inspirational Primary School Teacher of Year may be in the running for another award (SWNS)

He has also taken part in the "Tough Guy" Challenge and was in the top three contenders in the S.A.S Selection Test. He thinks nothing of climbing mountains with 35lb on his back.

Executive headteacher of Western Primary Kim Leach said: "We are very proud. He is a superstar and is a credit to the school and the local authority."

The school has over 300 students on roll, most of them staying at home. Up to 20 who have parents or guardians working as key workers during the virus crisis, continue to attend school because their parents are nurses, doctors or food factory workers.

Zane cycles to and from the school from Cleethorpes every day. He is also applying to be an  NHS volunteer  during the virus crisis.

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