London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 02, 2025

Captain Sir Tom Moore: Nation claps for NHS fundraiser

Captain Sir Tom Moore: Nation claps for NHS fundraiser

People have been taking part in a national clap to honour Captain Sir Tom Moore.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson led the tributes to the 100-year-old fundraiser who died with coronavirus on Tuesday.

Residents of Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire, where Capt Sir Tom lived, also joined in the applause.

The centenarian's family said they were "incredibly touched" by the event and "taking part with huge love in their hearts".

Captain Sir Tom Moore's family said they were "incredibly touched" by the event

The Army veteran won the nation's affections by walking 100 laps of his garden last spring during the first coronavirus lockdown, raising money for NHS Charities Together.


Capt Sir Tom tested positive for Covid-19 last week. His family said due to other medication he was receiving for pneumonia, he was unable to be vaccinated.

He had initially set out to raise £1,000, but he eventually raised £32,794,701 - which totalled £39m with Gift Aid - from more than 1.5 million supporters, and was knighted by the Queen in July.

Junior soldiers at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, took part in the nationwide clap
NHS staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital joined in the applause


At the daily Downing Street briefing shortly before the clap, Mr Johnson urged people to join in the event to reflect Capt Sir Tom's "spirit of optimism".

"Let's also clap for all those he campaigned for - our brilliant NHS staff and care workers - and let's do everything we can to carry on supporting them," he said.

"Because if we stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives then, in the words of Captain Tom, tomorrow will be a good day."

Players from Burnley and Manchester City paid tribute to the army veteran before their Premier League match
At Bedford Hospital, nurses and doctors directly involved in the care of Capt Sir Tom joined the national clap to celebrate his life.

Hospital leaders said the centenarian was a "source of huge inspiration and pride" and announced plans to create a memorial for him at the site.


Workers at Bedford Hospital, where Capt Sir Tom died, also clapped for the fundraiser

Simon Linnett, chairman of Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "He raised millions of pounds which will give huge benefits to colleagues and patients.

"But more than that was the contribution he made to raising the morale of staff in the NHS and the public - he was a source of huge inspiration and pride."


Capt Sir Tom won the nation's hearts with his fundraising walk which took in 100 laps of his garden


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
×