backwoodsman
Tour Winner
Why, precisely?
Why, precisely?
Pin-seeker
Well-known member
Pin-seeker
Well-known member
You run out of pants to sniff?
ColchesterFC
Journeyman Pro
Because he's a rare ray of light in these difficult times? Because he's inspired many thousands of people to donate to a worthwhile cause? Because he's an inspiration to all of us of what can be achieved from the smallest of starts?
Yes the NHS shouldn't require charity/community funding at any time, but this one man has managed to inspire many others in this nation to donate to a very worthwhile cause.
Pin-seeker
Well-known member
Blue in Munich
Crocked Professional Yeti Impersonator
£17.4 million in donations & £3.4 million in Gift Aid. Utterly brilliant. Great to see his old regiment give him a guard of honour as he completed it.
Apparently he will be speaking on Zoe Ball's programme on Radio 2 today.
Apparently he will be speaking on Zoe Ball's programme on Radio 2 today.
Is that a serious question?
Served his country in the war
Is nearly 100
Has now raised more money single handedly than the whole of the first Comic Relief
Has single handedly lifted an entire nations spirits in difficult times.
backwoodsman
Tour Winner
Ok, I'll offer a contrary view. He's a person, albeit old & frail, who set himself a challenging target in order to raise money as a thank you to the NHS. But then, so have many thousands of other people over the years. Yes, his age sets him apart but he's not unique. He's shown initiative, determination and courage to achieve his target, but again, so do thousands of others. He's a man who had one idea and set out to raise a few quid - which due to the extraordinary times, for some reason went viral and has got to the figure it currently has. That it went viral was not really of Captain Tom's doing. (Think of what absolute tosh also goes viral from time to time?) On the other hand, there are those who have worked tirelessly for 30/40/50 years but who, although they raise phenomenal amounts of money, only achieve a fraction of what's been donated to this one idea.
I have nothing against Captain Tom: he's got more guts & drive than I could ever have, and more power to his elbow (or legs more like). But I just find it strange who we choose to lionise? I know this will not be a popular view - but dont bother to lob insults.
I have nothing against Captain Tom: he's got more guts & drive than I could ever have, and more power to his elbow (or legs more like). But I just find it strange who we choose to lionise? I know this will not be a popular view - but dont bother to lob insults.
[QUOTE="Blue in Munich, post: 2154494, member: 17247"
Apparently he will be speaking on Zoe Ball's programme on Radio 2 today.[/QUOTE]
Has he not been through enough? He deserves better.
Apparently he will be speaking on Zoe Ball's programme on Radio 2 today.[/QUOTE]
Has he not been through enough? He deserves better.
ferenezejohn
Newbie
You have to admire Captain Tom's effort, the public donations will have far exceeded his expectations,hats off to him.
I only hope when the money is handed over its accountable to public scrutiny and goes to front line services.
I would hate to see some senior managers getting their offices spruced up.
I only hope when the money is handed over its accountable to public scrutiny and goes to front line services.
I would hate to see some senior managers getting their offices spruced up.
AmandaJR
Money List Winner
I have concerns about that and they weren't really eased by an interview with the head of one of the NHS charities. Mainly to support NHS staff which is fair enough but some mamby pamby ideas floated in a short interview which will, imho, waste thousands.
Blue in Munich
Crocked Professional Yeti Impersonator
To be fair, don't we all deserve better than Zoe Ball?
D
Deleted member 16999
Guest
Heard a suggestion today we should build a hospital with the money he’s raised and name it after him.
Far better legacy than knighting him, I don’t doubt he will be honoured in the New Years Honour List, but something in his name for a long long time would be a better tribute imo.
Far better legacy than knighting him, I don’t doubt he will be honoured in the New Years Honour List, but something in his name for a long long time would be a better tribute imo.
A typical hospital costs about £600m. He's still £580m short. Name a current hospital after him.
unless its a PFI hospital!
That or a ward within a hospital. He deserves some sort of mark of respect.
Just a bit of a macabre thought. The guy is a few days away from being 100. If he has to wait till a new hospital is built and named after him.... just saying.
There’s history of hospitals being renamed. Do it, and do it soon!
D
Deleted member 16999
Guest
It’s not macabre though mate, unless they change the rules, the next “normal” chance of him getting a gong will be on Jan 1st 2021, 8 months away.
Do something now, ok, maybe not name a whole hospital, but a buikding or a wing etc, or even the new research facility they’ve announced today will be speeded up.
Just recognise him while he’s still with us and make it his legacy.
Blue in Munich
Crocked Professional Yeti Impersonator
Looks like he'll crack the £20 million in donations this evening and that's without the gift aid which is getting close to £4 million. 
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Astonishing is possibly the only word for this..
Queen's Birthday Honours in June.. surely they can push something through double quick..
Queen's Birthday Honours in June.. surely they can push something through double quick..
