WHILE the nation commemorates the military fallen today a young lad will be using his footballing skills to remember the people of Swindon who died as a result of the bombing.

Brodey Gilder who goes to Gorse Hill Primary School, is raising money for the Royal British Legion by doing keepie uppies.

The eight-year-old said: “I am doing it for 48 days so that is one day for every life lost during the Second World War bombings in my hometown of Swindon.

“If it wasn’t for our fallen heroes I wouldn’t be where I am today. I know it is going to be hard doing it 48 days in a row but it is all being done for a good cause. I just need to wrap up warm now as its getting freezing.

“My mum and dad will help me record a video each day and hopefully we’ll get to share it. I’m really happy with the amount that has been raised so far and I would love to make it to the next £500 and reach £1,000 hopefully.”

Brodey started on November 1 and is doing 200 keepy uppies a day until December 18.

He plays for Supermarine Youth and it’s his first season playing for the under-9s team.

Dad Matty Gilder, 30, from Rodbourne is very proud of his son for doing something for others.

He said: “He plays football so he came up with the idea himself. He loves doing it so he set himself the challenge and he is cracking on with it.

“The mornings have a bit of a bite as he does it first thing before school usually. But he gets a lie in on Saturday.

“Loads of people have said how great it is he is doing. He is trying to better himself by taking on something he enjoys as well.

“He has learnt the history of the war in school about 48 people who lost their lives when we were bombed. It’s a topic spoken about in school but not in great depth so we looked up some more about it.

“He also sees people wearing poppies on the TV and the players during a match. So he asks why have they got a black band or a poppy on? So he’s seen it around so much.

“He is spending a couple of minutes a day doing something for others, you know two minutes is a short time but it goes a long way,” he said.

“His mum Jessica is proud too, actually she was never much of a football fan until he started playing. He will do it and just get on with it really.”

Brody has hit his target of £100 on his fundraising page but is aiming for a higher score. Anyone who wants to donate can do so online at: gf.me/u/y5ndti