Norfolk gets behind Captain Tom 100 challenge
The late veteran's family is encouraging people from across the country to get involved.
Last updated 30th Apr 2021
People across Norfolk are among those getting involved in a challenge this Bank Holiday weekend, in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore.
Today would have been the veteran's 101st birthday.
In 2020 the Second World War veteran boosted the spirits of the British public by raising £32 million for the NHS, by walking 100 laps of his back garden, in Bedfordshire before his 100th birthday on April 30th last year.
The fundraising hero passed away on February 2nd 2021 after testing positive for Covid-19.
On what would’ve been his 101st birthday weekend, Captain Tom’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore has set a new fundraising challenge.
The public are encouraged to do 100 of anything of their choosing from scoring 100 goals or baking 100 cakes, all while sticking to Covid guidelines.
All proceeds will be going to The Captain Tom Foundation or a charity of the challenger’s choosing.
Hannah Ingram-Moore said: “We’re still a grieving family.”
“I really hope people see this for what it is, which is an absolute chance to bring joy, put money back into charities and support the Captain Tom Foundation, which after all is the legacy of hope that he’s left us behind.”
Hannah will be participating in the challenge herself to further her father’s legacy.
She said the family will take part by continuing Sir Tom’s walk “right where he left it because we feel it’s the only right thing to do.”
Norfolk is full of people also getting behind the challenge, including Norfolk Hospice’s Jessica Scissons.
She told us she's going to be picking up 100 pieces of litter at Heacham beach.
She believes Captain Tom massively boosted the morale of the country during the first lockdown last year.
The hospice worker said: “He lifted everybody’s spirits at a really tough time and for me that’s his lasting legacy.”
Jessica thinks that Captain Tom has paved the way for more people to raise money for charity.
She added: “The amount he raised was inspiring and convinces people that they can make a difference.”
She's not the only one in the county backing the fundraiser:
Before his passing, Captain Tom was made aware by his family that his 101st birthday celebration would be an inclusive event and his family believe that he would’ve loved participating himself.
Hannah has a couple of ideas as to what her father would’ve done for the challenge.
The mother of two said: “My father loved the beach so he would have built 100 sandcastles or jump 100 waves.”
Although Captain Tom won’t be there to see the celebrations, his daughter still believes that her father would have been thrilled with what has been organised.
She added: “I really regret that he’s not here to share it, as I think he would just love it, but he would have felt so proud … he would have just felt proud to the core.”
On a weekend where people will be up and down the country will be doing all sorts of different challenges, Captain Tom’s mission to raise money for charity continues as his positive influence creates a sense of togetherness and will result in even more money being made for the causes that he believed in.
Hannah can’t wait to see her vision come to life through her father’s eyes.
She said: “We look forward to celebrating with you and seeing how you do the Captain Tom 100, your way.”