Captain Sir Tom Moore To Be Honoured With National Clap Tonight, Boris Johnson Announces

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that Captain Sir Tom Moore will be honoured with a nationwide 'clap' tonight.

Captain Tom rocketed to international recognition last year after he managed to raise £30 million for NHS Charities by doing laps of his garden.

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The 100-year-old, who died in hospital yesterday after a brief battle with coronavirus and pneumonia, became a beacon of hope during the coronavirus pandemic.

Addressing the Commons, the Prime Minister said Captain Tom had dedicated his life to serving others, and encouraged everyone to take part in tonight's tribute - which will also recognise NHS health workers.

"We all now have the opportunity to show our appreciation for him and all that he stood for and believed in,' he said.

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"That is why I encourage everyone to join in a national clap for Captain Tom and all those health workers for whom he raised money at 6pm this evening."

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said of Sir Tom: "His dignity and determination in raising money to support the NHS charities caught the nation's mood at the most difficult time. He exemplified the best of our values."

Today the government backed calls for a permanent memorial to Captain Tom to recognise his contribution to the NHS, No. 10 said this morning.

A number of famous figures paid tribute to Sir Tom when his family announced he passed away yesterday.

Piers Morgan, who interviewed him for his Life Stories series, wrote on Twitter: "A magnificent man. A national hero. In our darkest hour since WW2, he rallied Britain with his resilience, courage and optimism. Let us all heed his mantra in our own lives: 'Tomorrow will be a good day.' Thank you, Tom."

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Marcus Rashford added: "You have inspired generation after generation with your kindness, your perseverance and your strength. You fought for others 'til the very end. A role model to so many at a time of such difficulty, your legacy will live on for years to come. Thank you for being a shining light for 2020. Rest in peace, Captain Sir Tom. My thoughts are very much with your loved one."

The Royal Family also offered their condolences, with the Queen writing a personal message of sympathy to Sir Tom's family.

"The Queen is sending a private message of condolence to the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore," the official Twitter account read. "Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Captain Sir Tom and his family at Windsor last year. Her thoughts and those of the Royal Family are with them."

Topics: UK News, Coronavirus, Covid-19

Kimberley Bond

Kim is a journalist at Tyla, and has previously worked at the Evening Standard, Radio Times as well as several national newspapers. A showbiz obsessive and a television fanatic, Kim is particularly interested in celebrity gossip, A-list events and the latest releases on either the big or small screen. Contact her at [email protected]

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