News0 min ago
Captain Ott?
Captain Tom was undoubtedly a lovely brave old man who raised a record-breaking amount of money for the cash-strapped NHS, and was an inspiration and lifted the nation’s spirits during this pandemic. Last year he got a knighthood, Pride Of Britain Award, a hit record, a Piers Morgan Life Stories, etc. Since he died there’s been a special clap, Parliament stopped to honour him, GMB dedicated a whole show to him, there are calls for a hospital to be named after him, a statue to be erected, etc etc. But I am now going to put my head above the parapet fully expecting to be shot down in flames when I ask: isn’t it all a bit OTT? My arguments would be: He didn’t intend to raise more than £100 - the extraordinary donations were from other people. Plenty of people will have done tougher things to fundraise for the NHS, though may be not at such a grand age. Yes he fought for our country - so did countless others. He was adorable with an endearing turn of phrase, but so are many. The likes of Sean Connery, Des O’Connor, Bobby Ball and Maradonna who also died recently had far greater impacts on my life, yet their deaths didn’t get anything like this reaction. Okay, I’ve put my tin hat on. Fire away!
Answers
Yes I agree As much as I admire the Captain (and indeed anybody of his ilk and age) his apparent beatificatio n is totally excessive. It started because he wanted to exercise during lockdown and amazingly managed to raise a large amount of money. But I'm quite sure he didn't want the limelight he was eventually bathed in. I'm not so sure about his family, though...
14:26 Fri 05th Feb 2021
Neither Diego Maradona , Sean Connery, Des O'Connor or Bobby Ball had an impact on my life , Sir Tom did, I like millions more ,admired the man immensely in his quest to raise money for our NHS and has since himself inspired people like five year old Tony Hudgell and Rajinder Singh , the "Skipping Sikh" to raise money , veterans of our country are remembered each year on Armistice Day aren't they ?
OTT ? No I don't think it is.
OTT ? No I don't think it is.
I can’t say that any of the people mentioned in the OP have had any impact on my life whatsoever. It has, however, been heart-warming to witness the inspiration, the encouragement and the sense of hope and unity that Captain Tom brought to the country and to the world. Whilst the response to his death may somewhat OTT, in dark times people need to feel a spirit of optimism and Captain Tom certainly provided that. His was a generation of courage, resilience, honour and stalwart determination, the like of which we shall never see again. He - and they - have my greatest respect. Rest in peace. Captain Tom.
Here you go gulliver (it’s quite a lot of words tho, so you’ll have to concentrate really really hard)....
https:/ /www.nh scharit iestoge ther.co .uk/wha t-we-do /
https:/
I get what you mean completely. I know somebody who has been volunteering for more than 40 years for a very deserving charity, has helped to raise millions of pounds and even now she is in her 80s devotes several hours a week to the cause. In her younger days she fostered very troubled teenagers. Thankfully there are many like her, she would be horrified to be thrown in to media glare.
Sir Tom was certainly a good person but somebody was working behind the scenes to get him so much publicity in the first place. The generosity of the general public was admirable.
Sir Tom was certainly a good person but somebody was working behind the scenes to get him so much publicity in the first place. The generosity of the general public was admirable.