Captain Sir Tom Moore's Charity Walk Fuelled By Hobnobs And Coca Cola

There have been very few things to smile about over the past year, but the kindness shown by Captain Sir Tom Moore is certainly one of them.

Last year, at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, the war hero decided to try and raise a bit of money for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.

But Sir Tom blew his original £1,000 ($1,300) target out of the water, raising almost £33 million ($45m) for NHS Charities Together (around £39 million when Gift Aid is taken into account).

And according to his daughter, it was all powered by biscuits and fizzy pop.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Hannah Ingram-Moore said it's heartbreaking clearing out the cupboards of all the treats that helped keep her father going during his walk.

She told the publication: "Dad fuelled his walking with Hobnobs and Coke - and was also partial to Dairy Milk and KP Nuts.

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"The things I bought him are still in the cupboards. There are six packets of Hobnobs and bottles of Coke, because they were his thing.

"He liked condensed milk too, so there are six waiting for him, and his favourite tomato soup."

Sir Tom sadly died at Bedford Hospital on 2 February after having contracted Covid-19.

His family has since called on the nation to follow in his footsteps and devise their own charity events around the number 100, raising money for the Captain Tom Foundation or a charity of their choosing.

Ms Ingram-Moore said: "I really hope people see this for what it is, which is an absolute chance to bring joy, put money back into charities and support the Captain Tom Foundation, which after all is the legacy of hope that he's left us behind.

"We want people to go crazy and create their own 100 - a challenge around the number 100.

"Because he was 100 and he was so proud to be 100.

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"We thought of whether it should be 101 but it's definitely 100 because that year he lived being 100 was the best year of his life, almost certainly."

She added: "My father loved the beach so he would have said 100 sandcastles or jump 100 waves."

Ms Ingram-Moore thanked everyone for the support they showed her dad over the past year and said she hopes his legacy lives on.

She said: "Captain Tom was very proud to be able to leave behind the growing legacy of his foundation and the Captain Tom 100 feels like the perfect way to celebrate the hope and joy we know he inspired in so many.

"He would have loved the idea that everyone could get involved and that together we would ensure that 'tomorrow will be a good day'.

"We look forward to celebrating with you and seeing how you do the Captain Tom 100 - your way."

Topics: Coronavirus, NHS, Health, Covid-19

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom