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An award-winning assistant head teacher has been hailed a hero for delivering food to children in need who are off school due to the coronavirus crisis.

Zane Powles, assistant headteacher at Western primary school in Grimsby walks over five miles every day to deliver school meals to scores of children.

Other staff are delivering food by car to those who live further away from the school on Broadway.

Many of the 100 children in receipt of the free food are vulnerable children who may not be fed otherwise and Zane said he his delighted to be able to check on their welfare.

(Image: Jon Corken/Grimsby Live)

Some have been even asking for extra homework while they are off school due to the emergency measure lock down forcing families to stay indoors.

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 ask parents to collect meals from schools. 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.

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.

(Image: Submitted photo)

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.

Check out the remarkable things people have been doing to help others through the coronavirus outbreak The people of northern Lincolnshire have been warming hearts with their selfless gestures. They say challenging times often bring out the best in people – and that’s what we’re seeing here in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Scunthorpe. We want to celebrate anybody and everybody who is helping others through the coronavirus outbreak and have set up a special area dedicated to them on our website. This includes but is not limited to our heroes in the NHS, policing teams, supermarket workers, delivery drivers and cleaners. Not to forget our wonderful community members who have been helping others out in any way they can! It’s a huge thank you to you ALL. So, click here to view our live blog and if you have something you want to share email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com

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.

(Image: Andrew Roe Photography)

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

Last year he was presented with the Inspirational Primary School Teacher of the Year award in the Grimsby Telegraph Golden Apple Awards for his dedication in the school's behaviour unit. He takes pupils on week-long activities. At the presentation he said "I want all the children I work with to have the best future and tell them it doesn't matter what happens along the way.

"We should never give up on children - having a tough upbringing is never their fault."