Capt Sir Tom urging people to walk and talk to beat loneliness

Captain Sir Tom Moore has said that England will get through the second lockdown together, as his charity urged people to walk and talk to each other.

The Second World War veteran, who raised more than £32 million for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100 th birthday during the first lockdown, has this week been speaking to lonely people on the phone.

As England entered its second lockdown yesterday, his charity – the Captain Tom Foundation – launched a campaign called Walk With Tom.

Its aim is to get as many people as possible walking and talking , spreading hope and easing loneliness.

Sir Tom said: “I would like us all to stand shoulder to shoulder – metaphorically!

“Let’s try not to get downhearted, we will get through this, whatever is thrown at us and together we can ensure that tomorrow will be a good day.”

His daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore said that her father “became a beacon of hope, and not just here but around the world for everyone who’s suffering the fallout of this terrible virus”.

“We have this incredible gift of this global platform, this voice, but what came with that was incredible responsibility,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ni cola Sturgeon has urged Scots to mark Remembrance Day on their own doorstep.

The first minister said the coronavirus pandemic means more traditional commemorations cannot take place, with outdoor events currently banned across much of Scotland.

Traditional Remembrance ceremonies, with marches and wreath-laying, are not allowed in areas classed as Tier 2, 3 or 4 under Scotland’ s system of Covid-19 restrictions, Ms Sturgeon told MSPs, and councils have been given updated advice to make that clear.

Ms Sturgeon said she feels “deeply privileged” to be able to lay a wreath at the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle on Sunday.

Conservative MSP Rachael Hamilton spoke of her “disappointment that commemorations this year are being scaled back, understandably, to prevent the spread of coronavirus”.

She stressed: “Despite the pandemic, we must commemorate the valour of our veterans and remember those, including family and friends, who paid the ultimate sacrifice to fight for the freedom of our country and indeed the world.”

Responding during First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood, Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government would “encourage everyone who wants to pay their respects to do so safely in other ways”.

She added: “I take the opportunity to encourage people, if they can, to join the two-minute silence on Sunday at 11am on their own doorsteps as we collectively as a nation convey our respect and appreciation.”

Captain Sir Tom Moore has raised more than £32m.