Islanders urged to join ‘Clap for Captain Tom’

Wednesday 03 February 2021

Islanders are being encouraged to pay tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore by clapping and raising a glass.

The World War II Veteran, who passed away with pneumonia and covid-19 yesterday, became a national treasure last year for his now-iconic fundraising efforts, which saw him walk 100 laps of his garden in the month leading up to his 100th birthday.

Captain Tom has since received Royal Honours and has been celebrated for not only raising more than £30 million for the NHS, but also for raising public spirits during the first wave of the pandemic. 

Jersey’s Bailiff has requested that flags be flown at half-mast on Government and public buildings until 20:00 today in his honour.

I’m very saddened by the news of Captain Sir Tom Moore’s passing.
An inspiring figure who lit a beacon of hope and raised record breaking sums for the NHS.
Flags are at half mast across Jersey and the UK today as we remember Sir Tom. pic.twitter.com/x8KiixAeiH

— John Le Fondre (@John_Le_Fondre) February 3, 2021

 The Chief Minister paid tribute on Twitter, saying: "I’m very saddened by the news of Captain Sir Tom Moore’s passing. An inspiring figure who lit a beacon of hope and raised record breaking sums for the NHS. Flags are at half mast across Jersey and the UK today as we remember Sir Tom."

Many islanders have also got behind plans to re-enact the #ClapForCarers spirit by taking to their doorsteps at 20:00 tomorrow (Thursday 4 February) in tribute to the fundraising legend.

St. Brelade resident and local Twitter personality Binky was among those leading calls on social media, rallying her nearly 11,000 followers.

We should a organise a national raising of a glass and a round of doorstep applause in memory of the wonderful and genuinely inspirational @captaintommoore

He deserves a good send off. #CaptainTom

— Binky BB (@TheOnlyGuru) February 2, 2021

So is it Thursday 4th February 2021 at 8pm we’ll take to our doorsteps and driveways and raise a glass and applaud the wonderful gentleman and Great Briton @captaintommoore then?

I’d like to see this done across the country please @BorisJohnson #CaptainTom #RestInPeace pic.twitter.com/QcFXFjjQ4I

— Binky BB (@TheOnlyGuru) February 2, 2021

“[I] thought it only right that we all come together as a nation to celebrate the life of such an inspirational gentleman,” she told Express.

Following last night's calls for a clap on Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced today that he would be leading one in England tonight at 18:00.

Express asked if the Chief Minister would be supporting either of the planned claps.

A Government spokesperson responded: “The passing of Captain Sir Tom Moore has been recognised by the request of the Bailiff that all flags are flown at half-mast. This is an unusual but appropriate and fitting tribute to a person who has inspired so many in the British Isles by his service. Should any  islanders wish to pay an additional tribute to clap for Sir Tom, as encouraged by social media, that is entirely a personal matter.”

Captain Tom inspired many local fundraisers during the pandemic, including 81-year-old Lorna Hopley. 

Wanting to give back to the hospital staff who helped her after an accident in which she broke her hip, arm and shoulder and suffered a head injury, she challenged herself to do 1,000 steps a day, or two laps around her garden for five months.

Pictured: Lorna Hopley, who was dubbed 'Jersey's Captain Tom' for her hospital staff fundraising efforts.

Her efforts ended up raising more than £4,000 pounds.

JCG student Saesha Chohan also embraced the Captain Tom spirit, who decided on a whim to walk a marathon around her garden on Liberation Day to raise money for charities left struggling as a result of the virus crisis.

Her sponsorships racked up £200, which were split between the Animals’ Shelter and Mind Jersey.

The school was among those to pay tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore locally, explaining how he "inspired many of our students to fundraise during lockdown last year."

Ironman training coach Sam Horsfall also said she was inspired by the Captain.

Last year, she set herself the challenge of running 10k every day in May in a bid to raise £500 for the JSPCA - a target she eventually tripled.

Pictured: Sam said Captain Tom inspired her JSPCA fundraiser.

“I just thought if a 99-year-old man can do this I haven’t got any excuse,” she told Express at the time.