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Original poster

To be amazed by the 99 year old who has raised four million quid

167 replies

RainbowBabyDreams · 14/04/2020 23:11

Positive news at last Smile

I think this is amazing! Yes he's not out there shaking the collection tin but this fella has absolutely captured a lot of people's imaginations and has so far raised almost four million quid in the space of about three days.

He's walking laps of his garden in batches but he has more energy than me for heaven's sake!

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tomswalkforthenhs

OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 15/04/2020 10:20

How lovely. Just donated 😊

Ponoka7 · 15/04/2020 10:24

I was watching this when it first hit the News and he had raised around £2k.

The Queen needs to personally get in touch with him, or Princess Anne, given her military involvement.

When the lottery first came out it was suggested that it should fund the NHS, but it was decided that it should bridge the gap between funding and charity for smaller causes. Which i agreed with because we can afford to run our NHS, it's a choice of government not to.

Baaaahhhhh · 15/04/2020 10:28

Yes, I donated too. He is a marvel. However, I was a bit disappointed by what they are using the money for, if reported correctly of course. It was all a bit "fluff".

PenCreed · 15/04/2020 10:31

I think this is wonderful, but also deeply depressing. The NHS isn't a charity, we're meant to pay for it through our taxes. All these donations to it just make it seem like it being treated as a charity is acceptable.

Anyway, I hope when I'm that old I'm able to do something that brilliant!

ReceptacleForTheRespectable · 15/04/2020 10:31

Which i agreed with because we can afford to run our NHS, it's a choice of government not to.

Quite right. An annual telethon is a terrible idea, as it would encourage the idea that decent national healthcare is a 'nice to have', to be funded through the whims of the general public, with the most viewer-friendly departments probably getting the most funding, instead of a basic right in a civilised society.

ReceptacleForTheRespectable · 15/04/2020 10:34

I was a bit disappointed by what they are using the money for, if reported correctly of course. It was all a bit "fluff".

But it has to be fluff. If the NHS starts using charity money to fund its basic essentials, that would set a really bad precedent. By definition, charity donations can only fund nice extras.

CoronaIsComing · 15/04/2020 10:43

He’s amazing! I love how he’s got all dressed up and out his medals on to do his walk. He deserves a knighthood.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 15/04/2020 10:58

Five million now

Original poster
RainbowBabyDreams · 15/04/2020 11:02

An annual telethon is a terrible idea, as it would encourage the idea that decent national healthcare is a 'nice to have',

Well why do we have children in need then?

Like I said, things like portable labour monitors, which wouldn't be funded without charities. Nobody is saying cancer treatments should be funded through charity. In the USA so many individuals do have to set up crowd funders to fund their own cancer treatment. We are so lucky here.

Another option would be to raise taxes, but by doing a telethon or charity drive, those people who can afford it, can give, and those who can't, aren't under any pressure to.

This is a happy thread. :-)

OP posts:
RandomUser3049 · 15/04/2020 11:05

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

HollowTalk · 15/04/2020 11:12

The sad thing is that nobody can actually visit him to thank him.

I reckon he'll be up to six million by lunchtime!

Sexnotgender · 15/04/2020 11:15

I think he’s broken the justgiving site😂 the total isn’t updating right now.

Samcro · 15/04/2020 11:16

he is amazing. so nice to have something to smile about.

BikeRunSki · 15/04/2020 11:17

He’s been on our local news for a few days. Capt Marvel!!

SomewhereNow · 15/04/2020 11:18

He lives near me and is quite the local hero - deservedly so!

HollowTalk · 15/04/2020 11:24

I don't think now is the time to be critical of fundraising for the NHS. They need the money urgently and this is one way of making it happen. Afterwards serious questions will have to be asked.

Tableclothing · 15/04/2020 11:30

At risk of lowering the tone - he was a handsome chap. Quite the twinkle in his eye!

CaffeineInfusion · 15/04/2020 11:32

Dear Just Giving Team

Please waive your fee. You know it's the right thing to do.

Sincerely

The World

Original poster
RainbowBabyDreams · 15/04/2020 11:54

They don't charge a fee in the UK- Grin it's the credit card companies and PayPal who do xxx

OP posts:
Choccyp1g · 15/04/2020 12:00

*So about £500,000 on £5 million !!

If it’s a fixed percentage rate, equating 35p on a £30 donation, that would be around £50,000 on £5M. *

Oops apologies for my rubbish maths.

Choccyp1g · 15/04/2020 12:01

and further apologies for my rubbish bolding.

GinghamStyle · 15/04/2020 12:01

£6 million!!
🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

Original poster
RainbowBabyDreams · 15/04/2020 12:04

Wow with gift aid it's over 7 million quid!

People have been given an MBE for a lot less!

To be amazed by the 99 year old who has raised four million quid
OP posts:
Thisismytimetoshine · 15/04/2020 12:06

Bless him. What a legacy to leave behind (I know he's not dead yet, btw!)

Thisismytimetoshine · 15/04/2020 12:07

I really hope he's officially recognised, far ahead of any vacuous "celeb" who'll be lauded for entertaining the nation via a tedious YouTube channel during these difficult times...