Nation salutes Captain Sir Tom Moore and his NHS legacy of hope – The Yorkshire Post says

CAPTAIN SIR Tom Moore was such an unassuming hero that he would have been embarrassed if he knew that his death would be marked by a nationwide ‘celebration’ as families clapped from their doorsteps on the stroke of 6pm last night to mark their appreciation for him.

Yet, while his grieving family will have been both humbled and comforted by the quaintness of this uniquely British honour which grew in size and stature throughout the day, it was the least the country could do to salute the proud Yorkshireman and record-breaking NHS fundraiser.

Who would have thought that a 99-year-old using a frame to walk laps of his garden to help recover from a broken hip, and thank the NHS, would capture the imagination of the world and offer such inspiration during the Covid pandemic and lockdown?

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Yet that is precisely what this former soldier did – and his impact, in such a short space of a time, is reflected by calls for statues to be erected at locations from his home town of Keighley to the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square in the shadow of Nelson’s Column.

The naton has been paying its respects to Captain Sir Tom Moore.The naton has been paying its respects to Captain Sir Tom Moore.
The naton has been paying its respects to Captain Sir Tom Moore.

But it is to be remembered that Captain Tom set out on his walk of hope to support NHS staff and they should be the primary beneficiaries of the £32m that he raised – and subsequent donations from wellwishers after his death.

And, as such, last night’s celebration was far more than a final farewell to Captain Tom. It was a reaffirmation of this nation’s appreciation for NHS staff, carers and key workers – and also a deep desire for tomorrow, as he so desired, to become a better day. It will be if the centenarian’s values become part of his lasting legacy.

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