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Original poster

Captain Tom 😢

327 replies

StCharlotte · 02/02/2021 16:21

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-55881753

He did more in his last year than most of us manage in a lifetime.

Truly a life well lived.

OP posts:
AlternativePerspective · 02/02/2021 19:00

Might I suggest that the people who want to bitch go and start their own thread?

Ibeliveinyou · 02/02/2021 19:01

Rip he was an amazing man

Belladonna12 · 02/02/2021 19:01

It must be sad for his family but what an amazing final year. Not only did he live to 100 years, but he will also be fondly remembered in history.

Topseyt · 02/02/2021 19:03

@Bunnyrun5

Yes it’s sad, but so unfair how he was allowed to have all his family at his bedside yet so many people couldn’t even say goodbye to their loved ones when they were dying.
That was happening at the start of the first lockdown but many hospitals have since adapted their policies here.

Many are now allowing immediate family to be with a patient who is dying.

A good friend of mine died on Christmas Day in our local hospital. His family were with him.

It isn't different rules for different people. It can be different hospitals with different policies. Most are no longer as draconian as they became in the first lockdown though as it was inhuman.

Bedford Hospital does say on it's website that in particular circumstances family can be with the patient.

AsMuchUseAsAMarzipanDildo · 02/02/2021 19:05

Oh gawd, I’ve just sobbed my eyes out watching that video. Mostly because it makes me miss my dear 97 year old Grandad, who was the closest thing to a Dad I’ve had and who I’ve not seen in nearly a year.

AsMuchUseAsAMarzipanDildo · 02/02/2021 19:07

I said it on another thread and I’ll say it again here....

I really don’t care for the ins and outs of whether he should or shouldn’t have gone on holiday, whether he was PR-manufactured, whether he got some sort of “special treatment”, whether the £33m was a drop in the ocean for the NHS, whether caring about his death means you apparently don’t care about the other 100,000 (because obviously the two are mutually exclusive Hmm).

He put a smile on my face and gave me hope, at a time when I needed it. When most of the country was feeling overwhelmed and lost, unsure how the hell we get through this; he showed us how to literally and metaphorically put one foot forward and just keep-on-keeping-on. He gave strength and hope to a lot of people when they needed it the most. It’s entirely understandable to feel that loss.

HelloThereMeHearties · 02/02/2021 19:13

Very nicely put @AsMuchUseAsAMarzipanDildo.

RIP Captain Tom, you were an inspiration to us all Star

VestaTilley · 02/02/2021 19:14

Indeed, OP. I shed a tear. What a lovely, giving man. What a life well lived. His family have much to be proud of.

alwayslemons · 02/02/2021 19:15

I felt silly for getting so upset about it but I must admit the news did make me cry a little. I suppose because we felt we'd got to know him a bit, and his was such a lovely story. What a life, eh?

Livelovebehappy · 02/02/2021 19:17

His outlook on life is what we all strive for. Positive and honest. Sounds like he lived a fulfilled and happy life, and lived to a grand old age; something I hope I will achieve.

Butterymuffin · 02/02/2021 19:18

@Robin60

I agree Summalovin, many older people (and their families)have sacrificed many special events this year in order that we may see the end of this dreadful disease. Would the public be as sympathetic if Dominic Cummings had taken an elderly relative on holiday in December? I think not..... I do feel terribly sad for Captain Toms family right now, at whatever age you lose a loved one it’s truly devastating.My thoughts are with them.
Spot on, there'd be no sympathy for Cummings. He's done great harm to this country. Captain Tom, on the other hand, did more than could ever have been expected. RIP and thank you, Captain Tom.
CantBeAssed · 02/02/2021 19:18

For all those saying he shouldn't have went on holiday when he wasnt breaking any rules..does your opinion mean, when lockdown is lifted and you have no restrictions you will still remain in your houses and only go out for exerciseConfused

CallmeAngelina · 02/02/2021 19:19

Exactly, dildo!

Quaagars · 02/02/2021 19:20

He put a smile on my face and gave me hope, at a time when I needed it. When most of the country was feeling overwhelmed and lost, unsure how the hell we get through this; he showed us how to literally and metaphorically put one foot forward and just keep-on-keeping-on. He gave strength and hope to a lot of people when they needed it the most

Well said, great words and agree 100%

Bunnyrun5 · 02/02/2021 19:21

TheWashingMachine yes he did go Barbados with his family on 11th December while the rest of us were in lockdown pre Xmas.

manicinsomniac · 02/02/2021 19:21

I'm really surprised by how much I cried over this news.

I suppose, on an individual level, his death is not a tragedy in any way. It's a peaceful (hopefully) death, surrounded by family after a life much longer than most get and a final year more amazing than almost anyone that age could have.

But, on a societal level, it feels like a tragedy. Someone who stood as a symbol of hope for the NHS and the end of Covid has gone and has died of (with, whatever) Covid. It brings the mood low and makes us feel we've lost a piece of hope. Or something. That sounds pathetic. I'm just trying to find a way of explaining why the death of someone old who we have never met hits so hard.

Admittedly, I'm extremely depressed and hormonal today anyway. Might not have cried another day, I don't know.

S111n20 · 02/02/2021 19:30

Heartbreaking 😥 R.I.P captain Tom 💙

ItsnotTheNorm · 02/02/2021 19:34

@SummaLuvin

Unpopular opinion: Sir Tom and his family were wrong to have travelled to Barbados. I think they were tier 3 or 4 at the time. If it wasn’t against the rules explicitly, then it was certainly against the spirit of them. Many people saying now that he died it’s a good thing he went to have one last jolly, I disagree. My 90 year old grandma hasn't met her first great-grandchild who turns 1 next week, should she be allowed to go on family visits because she is old and probably wouldn't survive if she caught Covid? Of course not. There are many old people who have made sacrifices in their final years because we are all in this together. Being old doesn’t exempt you from rules.

Of course it's terribly sad for his family, but doesn't justify the holiday...

I think he was an exception he raised millions for the nhs so he deserved that holiday and I hope he thoroughly enjoyed it
Tableforfiveplease · 02/02/2021 19:34

RIP Captain Sir Tom

A sterling example to us all, and proof that one determined person, an elderly and physically frail one at that, can make a difference.

Bluetrews25 · 02/02/2021 19:35

Thank you Captain Tom for all you did.

Condolences to the family. Flowers

With love from a frontline NHS worker

If we had space for a little statue of him with his walking frame somewhere, that would be nice.

CallmeAngelina · 02/02/2021 19:36

God there are some miserable fuckers on here!

Why can't you just say RIP and move on?

ShitPoetryClub · 02/02/2021 19:37

Rest in peace Sir.

ItsnotTheNorm · 02/02/2021 19:38

@AlternativePerspective

Might I suggest that the people who want to bitch go and start their own thread?
Yes, they should do that then it can be deleted and take the spitefullness with it into the void. He went on holiday, he was 100. It’s not like he managed to bring a new Barbados variant back with him for goodness sake
GabsAlot · 02/02/2021 19:39

im so sad didnt even know him and i know many others have lost their lives htis past year but he was an inspiration and hope he enjoyed his last holiday with his family

Happyislucy · 02/02/2021 19:39

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