The hero teacher walking over five miles a day to deliver free school meals to the kids who need it most

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 coron...

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.

Zane Powles, assistant head teacher at Western Primary School in Grimsby who is delivering school meals and homework for pupils(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.

Zane Powles hailed as a hero for delivering children's school meals in virus crisis(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.