March 5 has been designated as "Lei Feng Day," after Chairman Mao Zedong called on the whole nation to learn from Lei in 1963, one year after the soldier died in an accident at the age of 22.

Since then, the soldier, known for selflessly devoting his time and money to those in need, has been lauded by generations of Chinese as a model Good Samaritan and a virtuous example to emulate.

More than five decades later, the legacy left by the national hero still inspires the Chinese people to do volunteer work and lend a helping hand to people in need.