Captain Tom

[roxfox]

To be super fed up of hearing about him?

It's not his fault but the media etc seem to be using him to distract us from more important things. He's featured on the news more times than I can count. He received over 125,000 birthday cards - he can't possibly read even a quarter of them, what a waste of money and paper. And poor Royal Mail having to get it all to him.

There's not one day we don't here about him and now he's getting a plane or something flown over his house. The 28million he's raised is stupid money too - yes great for these NHS 'charities' but goodness, they are all on full pay! What about the food banks and million other things we could've all supported.

We've gotten so used to hearing Rishi throw money around I think we've forgotten how much money that is.

Is it just me? I feel awful. I know he's a lovely old man who's served his country all his life and will probably die very happy and yes we all need some lighthearted news but ffs all he did was walk around the garden.

How many of these cards are infected with the virus?

Here, hang out with your pals ♟♟♟

Why don’t you think up some fundraising ideas for the food banks OP, rather than sitting at your keyboard moaning about a man who has raised millions?

No need to rain on other’s parade.

She’s employed a very expensive law firm Who normally deal with libel cases

YABMiserableAndVVVVVU

If you want to focus purely on the 'serious' news go ahead.

Most people happen to be capable of doing both, you know? Keeping abreast of current affairs and enjoying a bit of positivity at the same time.

Although you seem to be an exception to the rule

I think lots of people are misreading the OP. She's not having a go at Tom or the money he's raised.

I agree with the OP - it's a wonderful thing he has achieved but I'm uncomfortable at the media feeding frenzy around it, and all and sundry trying to grab a piece of the glory for themselves, just so they can post all over Facebook about sending a card and look how lovely I am.

I'm not criticising Tom, I'm criticising the behaviour of the media and the hangers on.

Why are people needing to point out he fought in the war?

Op doesn't have an issue with him.

Op hasn't said anything derogatory about him personally.

Good for her. I admire her enterprise.

Yes, of you bothered reading the rest of my post. Thats what I said.

100% agree. I am so glad that you are brave enough to say it out loud on Mumsnet !!

Love him, here. Completely deserves the fly past and stamps.

Everyone around him, the ‘celebs popping up, not so much. Stopped watching BBC Breakfast, who are really dragging it out now, painful to watch.

Hes amazing and yabu

She’s employed a very expensive law firm Who normally deal with libel cases

I wonder why? Is she in the receiving of of written defamation?

It's not captain Tom Moore... But the predictable 'copycat' aftermath. The old bird dangerously walking up and down her dodgy staircase. Now that's just dangerous and as sweet as she looked I thought 'don't jump on the bandwagon!' (luckily she had one media article and now nobody is interested)

He's done more to help the country during this than the queen and I respect his effort. But yes, the media always takes things too far and it's all a bit too much now.

OP I agree with you, though I admire his determination and fitness. The NHS is not a charity! It is a much underfunded public body we pay taxes for. And this government are continuing to put the employees of the NHS at great risk.

I agree with you op. While what he's done is lovely, it's completely out of proportion. The level it's got to isn't because he's a nice elderly gentleman walking around his garden, it's because of a mixture of bored people in this country needing something 'lighthearted' to cling on to and have jumped on this like a frenzy, along with him being used as a smokescreen for the previous and continuing issues in the NHS. In typical fashion, when it builds up enough, no one is allowed to say 'hang on, maybe this isn't all as great as it seems' without the 'we need some good news!' group jumping in with how miserable one must be to question such jollies.

The sad truth is, when something like this blows out of proportion, usually someone will be taking advantage of it - whether the money, attention or some other gain that isn't for the benefit of society as a whole. The phrase 'let them eat cake' comes to mind.

Let’s somehow twist this into the government using this as a deliberate distraction from the endless bloody moaning about what they have or haven’t done.

If you don't think they haven't used this, along with Clap for Carers, as a short-term distraction from their mistakes then you are a tad ignorant. Or are one of those rare people who think our government have done the best they could and shouldn't be questioned.

Ps I do wish people would stop using the old cliche of 'food banks' in a developed country there should be zero need for them. We have a benefits system. Nobody should not be able to afford basic foods. I think its one of those things that makes the donater feel good

*Jobseeker

"Also if they can arrange a spitfire flyover why cant they go and pick up the PPE that is waiting in other countries"
*
You want a spitfire to collect our PPE?

They probably need PPE to collect. The military is keen to help, but there's no use if there is nothing to do.

Why are people needing to point out he fought in the war?

I think part of the reason is because several posters are infantalising him, saying that he doesn't know where the money is going etc.

The man has probably seen horrible things that the pps wouldn't even be able to imagine and yet they think he's just a poor bumbling old fool.

The captain Tom stuff in the news is really getting to me because my grandma is the same age and sadly had to be put in a care home a few months ago because her dementia got far worse. This is probably too outing as it stands, bit she has survived so much and is/was no bodies poor little naive granny either. Cheers to Capt Tom.

I'm sick if hearing the NHS is not a charity. All hospitals have charitable funds, we have lots of people raise money for ours; people whose lives have been saved or people who have lost loved ones and want to raise money instead of giving chocolates. In the trust I work the money goes towards funding courses and paying for accommodation to attend conferences, wards can apply specifically for funding if they want something for patients or staff.

The media are focussing on it as they dont have much else to talk about other than the shit show that is our government and surely we can all see that for ourselves. They dont even have all the idiot celebrities opening an envelope or attending nonsense to talk about. Tbh I'd be thrilled if we just had four 30 min news reports a day, 6, 12, 6 and 10. All this constant talk is ridiculous when noone knows what's going to happen it's all just inane speculation

The man has probably seen horrible things that the pps wouldn't even be able to imagine and yet they think he's just a poor bumbling old fool.

But him fighting in the war doesn't disprove that.

I think he is lovely. I suspect he doesn't know its part of his daughters business plan. Maybe he does. Maybe he isnt fussed and happy to raise money, get a bit of fame and entertainment and help his daughter out. I don't know.

But hon fighting in the war, doesnt imlact how much he knows or doesn't know.

And most of the 'he fought in the war comments are aimed at the op' who made it clear this wasn't about disparaging Tom at all.

I think he's ace. I am also extremely uncomfortable with him being used and seemingly trampled all over by the unscrupulous around him and anyone else who wants a profile boost.

I think I agree, it's an amazing achievement to have raised that amount, but I can't bear to see or hear about him on the news anymore because it's just too sickly sweet and more than a touch patronising now, imo.

Well Shitsgettingcrazy I think probably fighting in a war probably makes you more aware of the multiple facets of human nature.

But I do like you, so I'll agree to disagree on this occasion.

I think probably fighting in a war probably makes you more aware of the multiple facets of human nature.

But I do like you, so I'll agree to disagree on this occasion.

Honestly, being related to several war veternans, of different ages. I am not convinced.

I do agree that he likely does know where the money is going. But my argument against that would be, that his age doesn't automatically mean he lacks capacity.

I am just not convinced fighting in a war means he definitely does know.

His story of what he did during the war was wonderful. As you say, we can always agree to disagree on how the impacts what he knows now.