Captain Tom...
 

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[Closed] Captain Tom...

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Has just topped £10,000,000.
Closing in on his 100th birthday and an inspiration to us all.
The sort of man I would love to spend an afternoon in the pub with listening to the stories of an outstanding human being.
I might be out of work soon but you can have £25 off me sir.


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 12:41 am
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He's on BBC1 at 8.30am this morning I believe.👍


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 6:21 am
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£12 million now!


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 8:08 am
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It’d be nice if they could rush a knighthood through for him.
The Queen would need a 2m long sword though.


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 8:16 am
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Would that make him Captain Sir Tom or Sir Captain Tom?


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 9:28 am
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🦵🔚

Bollocks to a knighthood - public holiday & make him a saint!


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 10:01 am
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public holiday

God yes, I'm desperate for a day off and for all the shops to be shut 🙂


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 10:04 am
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Can someone explain the mechanism you use to donate money to the NHS? I know there's a way to voluntarily donate to the treasury (and it looks complicated) but I have no idea how you donate to the NHS.

Is the NHS the same as other departments where unspent budget is returned at the end of the year?


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 11:01 am
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Should make him a Major.


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 11:29 am
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£13M now !!


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 12:03 pm
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Ground control says he's passed £13m now.


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 12:04 pm
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Downing Street have issued a statement saying that if he could find an extra £337m by the end of the week, it would take the pressure off them a bit.


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 12:13 pm
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He's a very handy distraction for some government ministers that haven't got a coherent plan or news on testing progress towards the 100k a day target.

It's a great achievement for him and he deserves every recognition nonetheless.


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 12:28 pm
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Sir Tom?

Not sure he’d be too bothered about receiving a knighthood and some would see it as a knee jerk gimmick. OTOH he deserves some recognition for what must be the most astonishingly quick fund raising turnaround ever.


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 1:47 pm
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Interesting the contrast between what Tom has raised, and what Strava's NHS Active challenge raised (<£400,000). Says something, not sure what! Just feel like Strava could have done better, not many people seem inclined to join it.


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 4:11 pm
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Just feel like Strava could have done better, not many people seem inclined to join it.

Probably 99% of the population have zero clue as to what Strava is, and even less inclination to find out. Out of all of my personal acquaintances, only one knows what it is and uses it.
I tried several times earlier this evening to give a donation, and each time I tried the page died on its ass! I reckon it’s well on its way to £20 million now.


 
Posted : 17/04/2020 12:06 am
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Managed to get on and contribute, it’s now over £16.6 million! Sheer pressure on the site earlier I guess.


 
Posted : 17/04/2020 12:43 am
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It is a really positive thing he has done - but I don’t think it should detract from other peoples efforts. In our lifetimes, this is a unique set of circumstances and he has been more promoted than any individual raising money than I have ever seen.

If this has been part of a lifetime of charitable endeavours - and he personally would appreciate an honour (Personally, I wouldn’t), then why not. Otherwise, If this is a one-off effort, I think not. Consistent efforts made to raise money and help the community - should be more more deserving of recognition than the amount raised.

We should remember the selfless behaviour of key workers first, before we recognise charitable endeavours. Especially, I think an enhanced support package for families losing income through loss of that key workers life... So many selfless professionals have given their lives to date...


 
Posted : 17/04/2020 8:33 am
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I agree with jamj - it's great that he's doing this but the (ahem) viral uptake of his appeal is nothing to do with him, unless he's a secret IT/behaioural psychology guru too. He's really just the latest Boaty McBoatface.

Also, I work in the NHS and I think it's a real shame that other groups of workers aren't being lauded in the same way. I know they get the odd mention but public opinion seems to be fixated and I don't think that's healthy. I'm currnetly not "patient-facing" and so the employees at my local supermarket are taking bigger persdonal risks than me, for less pay and minimal public recognition. Fair enough, I'm workng long hours and still being productive - and what I do is directly related to the current situation but so what? That's my job.


 
Posted : 17/04/2020 10:38 am
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He's great and I contributed for some reason when I didn't to some other fundraisers.

Not too certain about about a 90 year old woman going up and down stairs 282 times.
No car, not too far but looking at accident statistics maybe a bit too gnar.
Well done to her though.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-52319318


 
Posted : 17/04/2020 11:01 am
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So many selfless professionals have given their lives to date…

Yes, and by some strange quirk of fate, most of them appear to be working in the NHS. Spooky coincidence, that...
There are some who’ll find something to complain about, even a 99-year old gent who set out to raise £1000, and who’s succeeded way beyond his wildest dreams, and through nothing more than walking up and down his garden. Just to say thank you for his hip replacement.
Deary me...


 
Posted : 17/04/2020 9:23 pm
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There are some who’ll find something to complain about, even a 99-year old gent who set out to raise £1000, and who’s succeeded way beyond his wildest dreams, and through nothing more than walking up and down his garden. Just to say thank you for his hip replacement.
Deary me…

His action is great and he obviously has a brilliant motivation. I think I am more concerned with the very intensive promotion of his efforts by the BBC and what they are not choosing to focus on using that broadcast time.

I have a huge concern, that this is intentionally used as a distraction by the BBC news editorial team in particular - who have had form for some years now, for unbalanced reporting.

Although, I actually I have had to cheer on Naga Manchetty in her pressing members of the government for answers - usually, I find her presenting style less than convincing. Also Piers Morgan conducted a great interview the other day and I nearly choked on my coffee.


 
Posted : 18/04/2020 12:20 pm
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Whilst his efforts are commendable and he's raised an amazing amount, when did the NHS become a charity?
It demonstrates a massive failure of our government that we don't provide the necessary basics to save lives, would we run out of ammo in a war?
Missiles costs tens if not millions of pounds, yet a centenarian is raising money for £1 masks


 
Posted : 18/04/2020 3:29 pm
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The money doesn't go on direct NHS activities, it gets put into the NHS charity that looks after ex-employees during hard times. It also helps their families. Other smaller activities are done too.

NHS Charity

Have a read of what they do and decide for yourself whether it's worthwhile.


 
Posted : 18/04/2020 4:09 pm
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would we run out of ammo in a war?

Well we did in the last "big" one, and loads of other things too. the stumps of sawn off railings all over the country are living proof of that.

Can we not just have ONE thread to celebrate something good happening without it becoming a platform for people to moan about something else ?


 
Posted : 18/04/2020 4:09 pm
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Can we not just have ONE thread to celebrate something good happening without it becoming a platform for people to moan about something else ?

There's always edgelords trying to outdo all the others on here. E+1 if you like. Some folk on here would argue black was white purely to take the contrary position


 
Posted : 18/04/2020 4:53 pm
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I like the story, I like what he's had to say and it's good to have something to focus on other than the crushingly depressing global pandemic.


 
Posted : 18/04/2020 6:50 pm

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