‘We could celebrate on his birthday’: Carol Vorderman ‘calls for a Captain Sir Tom Moore day’ in honour of the veteran after his death from Covid aged 100
After his passing on Wednesday, Carol Voderman has asked for a ‘Captain Sir Tom Moore day’, to mark his valiant efforts in the war and his contribution to the NHS.
The late British Army officer – who died at 100-years-old from coronavirus – was hailed as a national treasure, having raised more than £32million for England’s healthcare system.
The former Countdown presenter, 60, also gave Captain Tom a Pride of Britain Award in 2020 and said he was ‘the ultimate winner,’ as she honoured him on Friday.
Farewell: After his passing on Wednesday, Carol Voderman has asked for a ‘Captain Sir Tom Moore day’ on his birthday, to mark his valiant efforts in the war and his contribution to the NHS
In an interview with The Mirror, she said: ‘He was the epitome of selfless grace.’
She added: ‘Maybe we could celebrate him on his 30 April birthday, which we could call “Captain Tom Day”, and mark it as a day we celebrate all the older people in our lives.’
Carol- who has presented the awards ceremony for over two decades- recalled the ‘magical moment’ Captain Tom walked 100 laps of his garden to raise money, before meeting the children he inspired to raise money.
She continued: ‘We brought along children he had inspired to fundraise. We thought he would come out, ask their names and ages, and have a little chat. But he did much more than that.
Missed: The late British Army officer – who died at 100-years-old from coronavirus – was hailed as a national treasure, having raised more than £32million for England’s healthcare system
‘He researched each child before they arrived so as soon as he met them, he praised their individual achievements.He left each one with a different piece of advice. And he had a twinkle in his eye too.’
Carol said he was an ‘amazing old gentleman,’ and she now hopes we can take a moment to ‘think about him’ and ‘dwell’ on the positive impact he made.
She also said she wished times were different so that he could have hugged Katherine Jenkins when she paid him a socially distanced visit to present his Special Recognition Pride of Britain Award amid the pandemic.
Earlier this week, it was announced the centenarian had passed away peacefully in Bedford Hospital with his devoted family by his side for his final hours.
Well deserved: The former Countdown presenter, 60, gave Captain Tom a Pride of Britain Award in 2020 and said he was ‘the ultimate winner,’ as she honoured him on Friday
Full of praise: Carol said he was an ‘amazing old gentleman,’ and she now hopes we can take a moment to ‘think about him’ and ‘dwell’ on the positive impact he made
His daughters Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira hailed the last year of his life as ‘nothing short of remarkable’, and said: ‘He was rejuvenated and experienced things he’d only ever dreamed of.’
Her Majesty also sent a message to Captain Tom’s grieving relatives and told of her joy at meeting him in person when he was knighted in July.
A statement from Buckingham Palace said: ‘The Queen is sending a private message of condolence to the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore.
‘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, recognising the inspiration he provided for the whole nation and others across the world.’
A tribute to Captain Tom was emblazoned on the screens at Piccadilly Circus, while the London Eye, Wembley Stadium, and Blackpool Tower were all lit up in his honour.
Downing Street lowered its flags to half-mast as Boris Johnson hailed the national hero as a ‘beacon of hope in the world’.
And in a mark of Captain Tom’s international acclaim, Joe Biden’s White House posted a tweet paying tribute to the man ‘who inspired millions through his life and his actions.’
Tragedy: Earlier this week, it was announced the centenarian had passed away peacefully in Bedford Hospital with his devoted family by his side for his final hours