The second world war veteran inspired the nation through his NHS fundraising efforts but also his ‘mustn’t grumble’ attitude
Britain was a fortnight into its first lockdown last spring when Captain Tom Moore shuffled into the nation’s consciousness with his trusty walking frame. The morgues were filling up, hospitals were becoming overwhelmed and Boris Johnson had just been moved into intensive care. For many, this new world of shutdowns and sickness felt alien, destabilising and frightening.
The country badly needed a boost and BBC Breakfast provided it: an interview with a second world war veteran raising money for the NHS by walking up and down his garden 100 times before his 100th birthday. At that point, Moore had raised just over £9,000, smashing his £1,000 target. He wanted to say thank you for the treatment he had received for skin cancer and a broken hip, as well as celebrate the health service at its time of crisis.
