Rise above lockdown restrictions - just like Captain Tom Moore did at 100

Sir Tom Moore was not just a centenarian who incredibly raised millions of pounds for NHS charities, he did much more in galvanising a nation to believe in itself.
Captain Tom Moore, with (left to right) grandson Benji, daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and granddaughter Georgia, at his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire. Picture: PACaptain Tom Moore, with (left to right) grandson Benji, daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and granddaughter Georgia, at his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire. Picture: PA
Captain Tom Moore, with (left to right) grandson Benji, daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and granddaughter Georgia, at his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire. Picture: PA

Inevitably during the pandemic, amidst all the restrictions, we have focused on what we cannot do. That we cannot live, work, pursue our leisure time or educate our children as we used to.

The example Sir Tom gave was in spite of the constraints we live under , we can rise above the restrictions and defy the odds against us.

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At his age he could have opted for an easy life, comforted that he had contributed all he needed to and that his war time service was enough .

On the contrary he recognised the debt we owed to the NHS who have responded magnificently and still accept the risks the pandemic poses to them and the rest of society, now additionally rolling out life saving vaccines.

He had the resilience many of his generation demonstrated during war time to rise above the challenges, making his age a mere number rather than an obstacle , to think of others instead of opting for a more comfortable existence.

The example he set has been taken up by many undertaking key volunteering roles thinking of others rather than themselves, confirming we can only survive if others leave the comfort of their own homes to provide us with essential services.

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I was reminded of this when I was shocked and pleasantly surprised when during a recent snow fall my newspaper was delivered on time as usual. What a morale boost that was as it has a reassuring and tactile quality I have appreciated during the lockdowns.

Without the Sir Toms of this world, the shops being open for supplies , teachers educating our children, bins being emptied, GPs and pharmacies and other front line heroes, our world would be bleak indeed. The example Sir Tom and others have set us is a positive one that we can respond to whatever challenges are thrown at us and by thinking of others we can avoid becoming victims.

Whenever we feel sorry for ourselves we can take solace and inspiration from Sir Tom. He is sadly no longer with us but reminds us that better times will be there for us , if we stick together.

His legacy will be longer lasting as a result.

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