Towering tribute as family walk in Sir Tom’s footsteps
STANDING 6ft 6in tall, a statue of larger-than-life fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore nears the finish line.
Sculptor Andrian Melka has almost completed the bronze tribute – as Captain Tom’s family kick off a bank holiday charity drive inspired by him.
They will be making their own laps of his famous garden to raise funds. Backing the Captain Tom 100 campaign this weekend will be stars including athletes and actors, plus ordinary people all doing 100 repetitions of their chosen activity.
The start of the four-day event today coincides with what would have been the 101st birthday of the Second World War hero – who completed 100 laps of his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, triggering more than £30million for NHS front line workers and associated causes.
David Beckham will be doing 100 keepie uppies, althlete Jessica EnnisHill will attempt 100 pogo jumps and Joe Root will hit a cricket ball 100 times. Judi Dench will eat the requisite number of chocolates, while Amanda Holden is hula- hooping and Mary Berry will bake a centenary of cakes.
Five-year- old Betty Leigh-Allison is also baking 100 cakes in Hertfordshire. Participants can ask for sponsorship, or donate to the Captain Tom Foundation or the charity of their choice. Photos can be uploaded to Twitter using #CaptainTom100. His daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, said: ‘It’s the perfect way to celebrate his remarkable achievements.’
The statue of Captain Tom, who died on February 2 after catching Covid-19 in hospital, is almost ready to be cast in bronze before being donated to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.