Mayor’s sadness over vandalism at memorial with Captain Tom plaque
THE LORD Mayor of Stoke-onTrent has expressed sadness after vandals damaged a memorial dedicated to coronavirus victims, including a plaque bearing a quote from Yorkshire-born Captain Sir Tom Moore.
The memorial garden was unveiled in Fenton Park last month to mark the anniversary of the first lockdown, and pay tribute to hundreds of local people who have died during the pandemic.
The city’s Lord Mayor, councillor Ross Irving, said: “This vandalism is deeply saddening, we’re hugely disappointed that anyone would wish to damage commemorations to those who have lost their lives during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The past 12 months have been incredibly difficult for so many people in our city and this garden was designated just a few weeks ago on the year anniversary of the first lockdown on 23rd March, as a quiet place for reflection.”
Mr Irving added: “We know that the vast majority of people in the city will share our condemnation of this incident and we ask anyone with information as to who did it to contact Staffordshire Police on 101.”
It comes as the family of Captain Sir Tom are encouraging people to celebrate his spirit of generosity by taking on their own “Captain Tom 100” charity challenge on what would have been the weekend of his 101st birthday.
Second World War veteran Sir Tom raised more than £32m for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday on April 30 last year.
They are encouraged to take on their challenge between Friday April 30 and the Bank Holiday Monday on May 3.
Challenges could include walking 100 steps, scoring 100 goals, baking 100 cakes or writing a 100word poem – this could be anything as long as it is in line with current government social distancing guidelines.
The Captain Tom 100 is being organised by The Captain Tom Foundation with London Marathon Events and supported by the Mass Participation Sports Organisers (MSO), Adam & Eve, LiveWire Sport and Studio Republic, who are all working pro bono.