Captain Tom Day

[Puppylucky]

Really?! Supported by Esther Rantzen et all but now on hold - thank God

I thought it was all very weird at the time but I usually watch this sort of flag waving and pan bashing with bemused detachment.

I’m also suspicious of new charities, even if they’re legit, they’d often be better donating to other established charities rather than duplicating all the admin and ‘consultancy’ fees.

I wouldn't get het up about this. There are so many 'days' now celebrating the weirdest things – did you know today is actually World Swords Swallowers Day, and tomorrow it's International Polar Bear Day and No Brainer Day? I agree his family shouldn't be allowed to monetise his memory for their own gain, but it looks like the Charity Commission is putting paid to that.

I had no issue with captain Tom himself. He did a good thing and at the time it felt like something positive coming out of a bleak situation. It's so easy now to forget how we all felt 2 years ago with no testing or vaccines.

However the Barbados trip left a sour taste in my mouth. It was only made public when Sir Tom became ill. Taking a 100 year old man to the Caribbean at any time would be risky, but during the height of the covid pandemic it was just irresponsible. Yes, you could argue that Sir Tom wanted to go, but it's just as likely that a 100 year old chose to go because it would be a lovely holiday for his family. I bet he'd have been just as happy at home in front of the telly.

I lost all respect for his daughter after that and it now seems I was right about her. That makes me sad. It shouldn't be how he is remembered.

I knew from the start it was all about the daughter, her ego and her PR exercise and that why I refused to support.

I mentioned it and got totally shut down. I did in real life too.

@RockStarMartini

I don’t think anyone has an issue with Capt Tom himself, just the grabby PR savvy family, in particular the daughter. It actually feels disrespectful to his memory to keep dragging this out rather than the opposite.

Exactly.

It was just what we all needed at the time, a positive story.

The family really should just leave it now. Its starting to feel a bit crass and odd.

Mentioned it here.

It was just what we all needed at the time, a positive story.

Was it? An elderly man being exploited by family and media. I’d have rather he sat down to be honest. I found it sickening.

@BuyDirt

It was just what we all needed at the time, a positive story.

Was it? An elderly man being exploited by family and media. I’d have rather he sat down to be honest. I found it sickening.

This exactly .

'Was it? An elderly man being exploited by family and media'

I think that is unfair. He seemed to have full capacity and appeared to be a genuinely nice man wanting to something encouraging.

Now his family should show him some respect and just leave it. I'm not sure how accurate the media stories are of their requests for ceo salaries but if true it would seem inappropriate.

It was a feel good story at a grim time.
War hero, nice old man, digging deep for the NHS, blitz spirit and all that.

It’s a bit sad it’s all turned into a grubby cash grab by his family. The good times are over, move on.

@BuyDirt

It was just what we all needed at the time, a positive story.

Was it? An elderly man being exploited by family and media. I’d have rather he sat down to be honest. I found it sickening.

Dare I say....just because he was 100, doesn't make him stupid.

If I had dreamt up something like that to line my pockets, my dad would have been happy to participate.

No. Dodgy.

‘If I had dreamt up something like that to line my pockets, my dad would have been happy to participate’.

Lol. Exactly, my DM is 80 and I love her but she’s as grabby as fuck and if I’d have come up with this, she’d have been all in!

@BuyDirt

It was just what we all needed at the time, a positive story.

Was it? An elderly man being exploited by family and media. I’d have rather he sat down to be honest. I found it sickening.

It felt weird and wrong when I turned on Breakfast TV and saw them all fawning over him and it's never felt OK since.

The BBC virtually instructed the nation to adore him and they did, in their droves.

Have they ever publicised what the money has been spent on? My understanding was that it could only go to charities associated with the NHS, e.g. to support staff or very specific projects. Is that correct?

@JaniieJones

'Was it? An elderly man being exploited by family and media'

I think that is unfair. He seemed to have full capacity and appeared to be a genuinely nice man wanting to something encouraging.

Now his family should show him some respect and just leave it. I'm not sure how accurate the media stories are of their requests for ceo salaries but if true it would seem inappropriate.

The issue is not the money Sir Tom raised for the NHS, that went into a properly regulated fund as far as I know. The problem now is the legacy charity set up by the family to continue his work ( not sure how that happens since he isn’t here anymore) which has raised about a million but doesn’t seem to have paid out much cash apart from money to people and organisations very closely connected to his family, all very sleepy and grabby, shame it has tainted the memory of an old man who seems to have had better morals than his family.

Don't understand the hatred here confused I wouldn't be against this at all.

It's not hatred towards the man but the corruption and opportunism the whole thing stinks of.
I was cynical about it all at the time.
Corruption soaked nostalgia. No thanks.

His family are in danger of totally ruining Captain Tom's wonderful legacy. It would be best if it was stopped now, so we can all remember him for the wonderful man that he was.

The family should be investigated for fraud in my view.

Being a 100 years old doesn't automatically make a person stupid or nice. The whole thing was PR, and the media lost its mind for a bit.

What an unpleasant thread. Have you nothing better to do OP

Most people are in their box by the age of 99. He was doing his bit during the lockdown that's all. The rest is a distraction. His original motive was very genuine. I don't agree with all the charity stuff since, but vilified a deceased military veteran is just about as scummy and low down as you can get.

vilified = vilifying

I was highly suspicious of the family and got told off for being a miserable cynic by my entire family.

I remember saying to my sister ‘the daughter is out for herself’ we had a full blown row over its

When the charity started to be investigated I sent her the link with the middle finger emoji. You know because I’m only in my 40s and not immature at all.

@Juno22
“I bet he'd have been just as happy at home in front of the telly” Not sure about that. Just because you are old doesn’t mean you want to stop seeing places and doing things.
Completely agree with everyone is saying about his exploitative family. Sad they have managed to sully his memory.

Some disgusting comments on here about Captain Tom. Speculating he was involved in some kind of fraud. Shame on you. Don’t tar him with the same brush as his family. He raised millions and was an inspiration, he was a joy during a very dark time.

@Legalconundrums

It was a well orchestrated marketing machine at work, Hannah knew exactly what she was doing.

Yes. Right from the start my spidery senses took an instant dislike to her. Definitely not genuine.