Captain Tom Day to help loneliness in the elderly

Lots of genuine interest tonight.

I don't know this lady.

If you are in the public eye, people will form an opinion of you. I might be completely wrong. But the thread was about what we think, and so...

Considering how wealthy people are in their area, I'd hardly describe them as wealthy either. A few miles away lives the Duke of Bedford and he isn't exactly a rarity in those parts of the shires or whatever they call them.

What do you mean Jane?

I think Captain tom would like his family to encourage people in their area to vote better

Alegrias1

Bridgeit

What would be the other reasons be ? I would genuinely like to know.

OK, hard hat on again

She spotted an opportunity to create a public personage out of her dad. I'm not suggesting in any way that she coerced him, and I'm sure he was quite happy. But it wasn't entirely altruistic.

As a PR person, she knows how to get publicity and how to tell a story that creates a character for the person at the centre of the story.

Her motives for this new day are no doubt as white as the driven snow but people are motivated by more than money, sometimes they are motivated by public admiration and being the centre of attention. Being seen as the instigator of wonderful things and worthy of admiration.

(Hides in corner)

Do you actually know this lady? Or are you making a lot of nasty assumptions about her and her family? I’d be genuinely interested to know.

Bridgeit

What would be the other reasons be ? I would genuinely like to know.

OK, hard hat on again

She spotted an opportunity to create a public personage out of her dad. I'm not suggesting in any way that she coerced him, and I'm sure he was quite happy. But it wasn't entirely altruistic.

As a PR person, she knows how to get publicity and how to tell a story that creates a character for the person at the centre of the story.

Her motives for this new day are no doubt as white as the driven snow but people are motivated by more than money, sometimes they are motivated by public admiration and being the centre of attention. Being seen as the instigator of wonderful things and worthy of admiration.

(Hides in corner)

If anyone on here is in need of a befriender or someone to talk to check out the directory on www.befriending.co.uk. They support a wide range of befriending services throughout the UK.

What would be the other reasons be ? I would genuinely like to know.

I suspect criticism comes from posters who dislike the family because they are wealthy.
It's inverted snobbery.

Are we not allowed to criticise anybody, just because they are wealthy, without being accused of inverted snobbery? Do you not think there might be other reasons that we have opinions about people? That wealth is completely irrelevant? Or is it just that if certain people fall into the category of offspring of a national treasure then we mustn't be anything other than sycophantic?

25Avalon

Sometimes when you really love someone and are grieving their loss you want to do something good in their memory. It can you permission to join in life again.

Yes.

From all the benches on piers, in scenic places in someone's memory so that others can enjoy a rest and enjoy the views their loved ones enjoyed, trees in memoriam, to large charities set up in the name of much loved family members and friends.

They want to continue what he started to help others.

I agree Calistemon.

Give you permission.

Sometimes when you really love someone and are grieving their loss you want to do something good in their memory. It can you permission to join in life again.

25Avalon

Not sure PamQS. Captain Tom always seemed a very modest humble sort of chap. He certainly blossomed with all the media interaction where his views and opinions were respected and he became visible with a voice, unlike many older people.

I suspect criticism comes from posters who dislike the family because they are wealthy.
It's inverted snobbery.

Captain Tom (of course, he wasn't a Private, was he!) did enjoy his 15 minutes of fame and he did blossom. It was wonderful to see.
He also raised a lot of money and inspired others to emulate him.

But let's damn them and his memory because they were well off.

Not sure PamQS. Captain Tom always seemed a very modest humble sort of chap. He certainly blossomed with all the media interaction where his views and opinions were respected and he became visible with a voice, unlike many older people.

When I saw this mentioned in the weekend papers, my honest thought was ‘Give poor Captain Tom a rest!’ If the family can launch an effective charity on the back of his efforts as a memorial to him, O don’t blame them for trying, especially as they knew him well enough to know if this is how he’d like to be remembered.

Not a fan of the family and imagine they enjoyed the limelight and are keen to hold on to it. It does also seem a bit patronising.

I could not support this either. Yes I am 71 but thankfully fit etc.
I was always uncomfortable with the Sir Tom events and his family are very much into getting limelight.
Others have also achieved so much by their efforts and fund raising. I would rather see AgeUK be in receipt of good contributions so they can continue to do their work all year.

Exactly, trisher!

I think the day is intended as an annual prompt for a fundraiser to raise money to provide services all year round for those who may need them.

Rather like Children in Need Day, Red Nose Day, World's Biggest Coffee Morning, Moonwalk, Memory Walk etc.

Calistemon

I don't think this help will be compulsory, trisher!

It's not the fact that it is compulsory it's the idea that at 90+ you somehow cease to be someone who can join any organisation and become someone who has to have special provision. Ageing isn't something that happens to everyone in the same way, and age does not mean you become a different person. What is needed are organisations and services that recognise that older people may need certain adaptations but their contribution can be valuable. Just as disabled people are beginning to be fully accepted and involved older people should have the same provision. It's not about a day it's about a change in attitude.

What will this new charity do that existing charities don’t? Does anyone know?

I don't think this help will be compulsory, trisher!

I saw the interview with his daughter. I think it is a brilliant idea. I think a lot of good will come from it.

My mother offered the choice of an afternoon run by two women who called her "dear" wanted her to buy raffle tickets for prizes she didn't wnat and to charge her for a cup of tea while she sat and did a quiz she found ridiculous or was chatted to as if half-witted much preferred sitting in her own flat and watching for flying pigs (and so would I). We don't all lose our critical faculties because we are older.

Or even individualistic