Boris Johnson latest announcement

Because of the media homing in on Captain Tom many other people were inspired to emulate him. I remember seeing at lest one physically handicapped child on tv walking to raise money and various other people doing stuff so indirectly he was responsible for raising more funds.

at your Mum WW10, that really made me laugh. Maybe we should have one day a month where we stand outside care homes and clap for all the people walking around inside the home and in the garden? when all this is over obviously

I was a bit at how Boris was standing too, why do they all stand like they have cacked themselves?

I sort of intended to, but must admit that I completely forgot it. I'm always cooking at 6pm. Anyway, I have huge respect for Captain Tom and his achievements but not sure that clapping was necessary.

Franbern

I agree, WW010 . It was the media that homed in him and the general public was desperate to be able to do something at that time, so the money poured in. Could have been any sort of story - one involving a child, an animal - just happened to be him. He himself, did not do anything particular to raise that money - it was just the story that caught the imagination of the media at the time.

With so many deaths this last year, that of a person going on for their 101st birthday does not really strike any tear-jerking response from me. And, he and his family had a wonderful last few months, with a wonderful holiday thrown in.

The PM has used it as a something to grab on to and try to spin in his own favour. Yet, in the midst of it all, he and his government voted DÓWN the increase in pay for nurses and other workers in the NHS. Shows how much her really cares.

If people really want to honour this man and have a perpetual memorial to all those who have lost their lives this last years due both to the pandemic itself and the resultant death from other causes - then, in my mind, the best thing they can do is to ensure that their MP's will vote to increase pay of all NHS workers, and to ensure that the NHS is properly funded and all privatisations within it are stopped and reversed.

Far better than clapping and statues in my opinion.

Hallelujah to all that! (Slightly relieved I’m not alone tbh ??) I just read a great memorial to him would be a bursary in his name created from the monies raised. Now that I could get on board with cos Bj and his mates can’t get in on that one.

I agree, WW010 . It was the media that homed in him and the general public was desperate to be able to do something at that time, so the money poured in. Could have been any sort of story - one involving a child, an animal - just happened to be him. He himself, did not do anything particular to raise that money - it was just the story that caught the imagination of the media at the time.

With so many deaths this last year, that of a person going on for their 101st birthday does not really strike any tear-jerking response from me. And, he and his family had a wonderful last few months, with a wonderful holiday thrown in.

The PM has used it as a something to grab on to and try to spin in his own favour. Yet, in the midst of it all, he and his government voted DÓWN the increase in pay for nurses and other workers in the NHS. Shows how much her really cares.

If people really want to honour this man and have a perpetual memorial to all those who have lost their lives this last years due both to the pandemic itself and the resultant death from other causes - then, in my mind, the best thing they can do is to ensure that their MP's will vote to increase pay of all NHS workers, and to ensure that the NHS is properly funded and all privatisations within it are stopped and reversed.

Far better than clapping and statues in my opinion.

Well said ??

He had a wonderful few months . ‘Left in peace? ‘That would have been the last thing he wanted.

My old mum made me laugh. 98 yrs old. Lives in sheltered housing. Told me this all ‘makes her poorly’. ‘She lives with loads of people his age who walk round every day and nobody claps for them’. Had to laugh. We’re not allowed to say that are we. ?. Yeah am sure he was a nice guy and he (unintentionally) raised a massive amount for charity - but was completely high jacked by media and Gov to distract us from their shenanigans giving our money to their cronies. Got Cummings sticky fingers all over it. I didn’t clap. Not because I disrespect him but because Johnson wanted me to. A small act of defiance. Very few folks out on my road clapping. One or two out of ~50 houses. I’ll wait for the National day of mourning to pay my respects. And the next election to vote the xxxxx out!!

I think what I learned most from this remarkable man was that you are never too old to make an impact on the world. RIP Captain Tom.

Knittynatter

It’s sad that captain Tom died but no more sad than all the other amazing, wonderful and much loved people who died through COVID before their time leaving behind distraught families and friends. They were special people and heros in their own ways.
Captain Tom raised millions for the NHS, but was provided the means to do this by his daughter and the media. If the media hadn’t got hold of the story at a time when everyone wanted to help the NHS then his walk wouldn’t have raised more than a few thousand.
He seemed to be a very nice man who had an amazing experience in his final year. I hope that his family and the media leave him to rest in peace now.

Well put, Knittynatter. I agree with you, especially about the media taking up the story.

Callistemon thank you, I’m sorry too. I think we are all worn out aren’t we? I’m definitely more salty with my words than I normally am. I think after the pandemic ends there will be a lot of grieving to be done, it’s hard while we are all separated, and harder still to be civil and kind when our nerves and hearts are feeling worn and frayed. I really should stay off any pandeamic related posts after my evening wine

Sorry, me too Dillythe Gardener
We had some bad news and I was rushing to join an online meeting so I was a bit hasty.
Delete the rubbish bit but I'll leave the rest to stand.

Boris Johnson trying to cash in on Sir Tom's popularity is quite distasteful

I think Knittynatter summed up what I was trying clumsily to say. I wrote after a glass of wine and very upset with the government for its poor handling of the pandemic, where I have lost sadly multiple of my friends and family members. Head below the parapet now.

It’s sad that captain Tom died but no more sad than all the other amazing, wonderful and much loved people who died through COVID before their time leaving behind distraught families and friends. They were special people and heros in their own ways.
Captain Tom raised millions for the NHS, but was provided the means to do this by his daughter and the media. If the media hadn’t got hold of the story at a time when everyone wanted to help the NHS then his walk wouldn’t have raised more than a few thousand.
He seemed to be a very nice man who had an amazing experience in his final year. I hope that his family and the media leave him to rest in peace now.

he should have been left to live out his life in peace.

Oh what rubbish!

He was obviously the kind of man who would do his utmost for his fellow man and woman, striving to the last to help, to be of service.

He fought to bring us peace and never stopped caring for others.

I agree Callistemon that the family must have approved if they were clapping. Not such a daft idea from Boris after all.

DillytheGardener

I don’t think it appropriate and I also think it’s absolutely horrific that an elderly man had to take it upon himself to raise money for something that should have been provided all along. So well done Captain Tom but, he should have been left to live out his life in peace.

What should be provided in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic?

Some of the money has gone towards quiet rest rooms for staff to use after a traumatic shift in ICU
Some for counselling for staff who have sat and held the hand of a dying patient because relatives cannot be there
For visiting Covid patients at home

Other charitable causes to help staff stretched to the limits during unprecedented times.

A wonderful man who will always be remembered for his care for others.

Yes, they were there clapping so they obviously approved this as a tribute to Captain Sir Tom.

As I was unable to do that, I will make another donation instead: I hope the fund goes from strength to strength.
It is separate from NHS funding.

I saw on Twitter that his family requested it. I don’t know if that’s true. I’m not a clapper myself.

DillytheGardener

I don’t think it appropriate and I also think it’s absolutely horrific that an elderly man had to take it upon himself to raise money for something that should have been provided all along. So well done Captain Tom but, he should have been left to live out his life in peace.

Well the media have filmed his grieving family clapping outside their home tonight, the day after he died for heavens sake I do hope they were consulted re this at the very least

I don’t think it appropriate and I also think it’s absolutely horrific that an elderly man had to take it upon himself to raise money for something that should have been provided all along. So well done Captain Tom but, he should have been left to live out his life in peace.

I suppose times change. I don't really like the clapping either but people can pay their respects however they want to really. Mourning is quite a recent concept too so we don't need to be burdened by what the Victorians felt appropriate, in my opinion anyway.

It did make me uncomfortable when people were lining the streets clapping when the corteges of service personnel killed in action went through Wootton Bassett.

What happened to a respectful silence?

GrandmaBatty I think the Foundation gives money to NHS Charities not to the NHS itself.
I'd rather see the money spent on all those flowers going to the charity too.

no, I don't think clapping is appropriate.

Your picture is amazing Esspee