The news these days is often depressing at worst and frustrating at best. It’s easy to get caught up in the spin cycle and let it get us down. Never fear… The News Blender has you covered. Once a week we feature Something Good and, in return, all you have to do is tell us something good that has happened to you this week, something you are thankful for, a joke, a cute animal story, an inspiring tale of heroics, a Random Act of Kindness… SOMETHING good.
Today’s Something Good is a story of resilience and charity.
Captain Tom Moore, an inspiring veteran in Great Britain, turned 100 years old on April 30th. Moore has become an icon in England for his positive attitude and his fundraising for the NHS during the pandemic. He raised more than 30 million pounds by walking 100 laps – in 10 lap chunks, with the aid of his walker – around his garden.
He originally had a simple goal of raising £1,000 in the days before his 100th birthday but quickly eclipsed that goal and gained the attention of people around the world. Captain Tom wanted to show his appreciation for the hard working NHS workers who had previously treated him for cancer and a broken hip.
Captain Tom’s fundraiser was the largest personal fundraiser in Britain’s history and he inspired others to do their own fundraisers in similar fashion.
By the time his birthday finally rolled around, Britons had adopted him as their beacon of hope. He was made an honorary Colonel by the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, his World War II regiment, was sent a card from Queen Elizabeth, the Prime Minister sent him a recorded message thanking him, and he had a flyover of a Spitfire and a Hurricane on his birthday, per the BBC.
The approximately 140,000 cards sent to Captain Tom were displayed in the Great Hall of his grandson’s school.
Moore, who has thousands of followers on Twitter and now has a hit single in which he sang Never Walk Alone with Michael Ball, is taking the fame in stride. He has a simple message – stay safe, stay home, and appreciate the heroes on the front lines of the pandemic.
The Captain Toms of this world are more precious than ever and Moore is a gentle reminder of what can be lost. At the end of his 100th lap around his garden, he offered a needed perspective from a life that has seen more than a bit of challenge. “You’ve all got to remember that we will get through it in the end, it will all be right. For all those people finding it difficult at the moment, the sun will shine on you again and the clouds will go away,” he said.
Heroism isn’t always grand acts of bravery – sometimes being a voice of comfort, a smiling face of encouragement, and an example of resilience during difficult times is the most important act of heroism.
Now it’s your turn… Tell me Something Good!
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