BELFAST RESIDENTS gathered at a mural of Captain Sir Tom Moore last night to pay tribute to the man who raised millions for the NHS in his last year of life.
Captain Tom Moore rose to prominence last year, when, as the UK was under its first nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus, he began a sponsored walk around his garden to raise money for the NHS.
As the decorated army veteran's charity walk went viral, so did Captain Tom himself-- by the time he reached his goal of doing 100 laps of his garden in his walker, he had raised over £39 million pounds for the health service.
Captain Tom, who was 99 years old when he performed the incredible feat in his walker, was a World War II veteran and became something of symbol of hope for those struggling with lockdown, and for those hoping for an end to the pandemic.
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth over the summer for his continued service to the UK, and received hundreds of thousands of cards and gifts for his 100th birthday from well-wishers across the globe.
The news of his death earlier this week, passing away after a battle with pneumonia and Covid-19, led to an outpouring of love from people in the UK and beyond.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that there would be a 'national clap' for the World War II veteran, and people responded in their droves.
Last night, residents in Belfast were among the tens of thousands who paid tribute to Captain Tom, with locals gathering at the mural painted in his honour in Clonduff, East Belfast, which appeared in May last year.
A street art graffiti mural, showing the logo of the NHS (National Health Service), and an image 100-year-old veteran Captain Tom Moore who raised over £32 million for NHS charities, is pictured in east Belfast on May 5, 2020. (Photo by Paul Faith / AFP)The locals clapped in tribute to the much-loved officer, with the applause echoed across the UK, including on the steps of Number 10 where Mr Johnson and his fiancee Ms Symonds joined in the 'national clap'.
The tribute was also observed across England, Wales and Scotland, with many now calling for a permanent tribute to be made in Captain Tom's honour.
The Irish News reports that a statue of Captain Tom, or a hospital being named in his honour, are among the suggestions being made to remember the war hero.
In a statement announcing their father's sad passing, daughters Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira wrote that "the last year of our father's life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he'd only ever dreamed of.
"Whilst he'd been in so many hearts for just a short time, he was an incredible father and grandfather and he will stay alive in our hearts forever."
