‘HUGE LOVE IN OUR HEARTS’ FOR CAPTAIN TOM
Proud family join nation in clap tribute
CAPTAIN Sir Tom Moore’s proud family led the country in an emotional tribute of applause for the fundraising hero last night.
His daughter Hannah IngramMoore, her husband Colin and children Benjie and Georgia joined the nation in a rousing Clap for Tom.
The country united in thanks for the wartime hero who had raised £33 million for the NHS with a sponsored walk around his garden.
His family said it was an honour to head the 6pm tribute with “huge love in their hearts for their father, grandfather and father-in-law”.
Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds applauded on the steps of No 10 to remember the 100-year-old who died with Covid in hospital on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister said the lockdown icon “embodied the triumph of the human spirit.When Capt Sir Tom Moore decided to launch a national campaign in his own back garden raising more money and achieving more in his one hundredth year than perhaps any centenarian in our history he knew instinctively which organisation he wanted to thank and support.
“It was – and is – the NHS. And he was right.”
The UK last night applauded the man who lit up the virus gloom.
Spirit
Soldiers broke into applause outside Uniacke Barracks in Harrogate where Capt Tom was made Honorary Colonel of the Yorkshire Regiment, his old unit’s successor.
Their thunderous tribute was echoed by NHS staff everywhere, including at Bedford Hospital, where he was treated for pneumonia and Covid. The PM said the salute was for the “spirit of optimism Capt Sir Tom stood for and all those he campaigned for – our brilliant NHS staff and care workers”.
He said the health service still faced enormous pressure with more than 32,000 Covid patients in hospital: “Let’s do everything we can to carry on supporting them.
“Because if we stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives, then, in the words of Capt Sir Tom, ‘Tomorrow will be a good day’.”
Capt Tom became a symbol of hope by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.
Today the Daily Express calls for his heroics to be remembered with a statue in Trafalgar Square, alongside some of the greatest Britons, as a permanent reminder of the millions of lives he touched.
Our plea was backed by TV host Nick Knowles who said an image of Capt Tom swathed in the Union flag would be a “constant reminder of positivity” while fellow presenter Lorraine Kelly said: “That empty plinth in Trafalgar Square should have [his] name on it.”
There were widespread calls for him to be given a state funeral.
Pride of Britain awards host Carol Vorderman called for a memorial in Westminster Abbey and other ideas included naming new hospitals in Capt Tom’s honour to remember his fundraising. TV’s Amanda Holden started a petition for a statue, saying: “Let’s show generations to come what it was to be brave and spirited.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock, confirmed Capt Tom’s endeavours would be marked “at the right time to honour the contribution he made to the NHS – he was an inspiration to so many people”.
Hundreds of floral tributes were left in the humble veteran’s village
of Marston Moretaine, Beds. One message read: “Thank you for everything Captain Tom. May you rest in eternal peace.”
Another said: “You will always be our hero and forever remain in all our hearts. ”
Also paying tribute was six-yearold double amputee Tony Hudgell who was inspired by him to raise £1.6 million. Tony, from Kings Hill in Kent, had set out to raise £500 for Evelina London Children’s Hospital by walking 10km (6.2 miles) on prosthetics. Like his hero he won a Pride of Britain award.
Capt Tom did his walk to thank the NHS for treating him after he fell at home in 2018, breaking a hip and puncturing a lung.
As Covid peaked in April he set out to raise £1,000 but his daily walks with a stroller inspired millions. He raised £32,796,355 and spawned a catchphrase that gave hope to virus-battered Britain: “Tomorrow will be a good day.”
In an interview with the Express, his favourite newspaper, he said he wanted to be the catalyst for NHS frontline staff to be appreciated.
In July, he was knighted by the Queen and later released his life story and a children’s book. Proceeds from his exploits supported the CaptainTom Foundation which helps causes close to his heart – including combating loneliness – help for hospices and for people facing bereavement.
He had been receiving treatment for prostate and skin cancer for five years but decided against invasive treatment.
Richer
Capt Tom had fought pneumonia and Covid for 11 days but his drugs meant he could not have a vaccine jab. On discharge from hospital, he tested positive for Covid and was readmitted on Sunday before dying on Tuesday.
Michael Ball, the singer who hit No 1 in the charts with a duet of You’ll Never Walk Alone with Capt Tom, said: “He’s left us richer in every sense.”