Captain Tom

[Parker231]

Sad news just announced - he has died today.

@Soboredofitall

There was something so incredibly genuine about him. I know I didn't know him but he did more for public morale and the NHS than anyone else. He was an inspiration. My heart goes out to his family.

Same here....He raised £4,000 when I heard of him and it was going up like a petrol counter by the hour... £13,000.... onwards and upwards...Tom was genuine. He caught the mood of the Nation.

There was no ''Look at ME'' side to him, and the Queen looked genuinely respectful when she dubbed him with her Sword.

"The last year of our father's life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he'd only ever dreamed of."

but I'm still 😰😰😰

He lived his life to the full. RIP Captain Tom .
Please no nastiness.

Rest peacefully in heaven Sir Tom.

@Fivepoundcraziness

I agree 100% with *@LyingWitchInTheWardrobe*.

I bet people who have lost loved ones who they were prevented from being with at the end, feel very cheated at the news that Captain Tom's family were all gathered around him. Was he not on a Covid Ward?? Or did his celebrity status earn him a private room?

Oh knob off. Everyone can have family now.

Yes very sad. RIP Captain Tom. Such an inspiration.

@PussGirl

What a shame, but 100-year-olds are very frail.

A lot of folk these days seem to have forgotten that the frail elderly are just that.

This

Maybe people who want to say negative things could go and do it elsewhere? A lot of us are saying how upsetting we are finding this news (not unexpected, but very disheartening at a time we’re already struggling) and this is just not the place to get into a bunfight about fairness and hero worship, it’s just going to antagonise emotional people.

@Pussgirl - yes I agree. 100 is an incredible age so I don't find it sad. I'm sorry for his family as every death leaves a hole somewhere.

If I live my final year with as much oomph as he lived his I will die very happy.

@AhFiddledeedee

I feel really sad about this, I cant put my finger on why exactly. I mean he lived to 100, it's a grand age. A life lived to the full by all accounts,I didnt know him, but I feel so sad hearing this news.

I think it's because he brought people together, we got behind him and cheered him, only for him to pass away with covid, after everything he did for the NHS, it seems such a cruel irony.

Is it me?

Not just you, I feel exactly the same.

He touched a lot of lives for the better, that’s a wonderful legacy to leave behind.

@LyingWitchInTheWardrobe

I find it sad. That said it's really grating that his family were on hand whereas countless others - who weren't celebs-of-the-moment - have died without that comfort. I wonder how those families feel?

I loath this hero-worshipping intensely and wish it would just stop.

I agree.

His family have some lovely memories and had a family holiday at Christmas which is more than most people have been able to enjoy.

I haven’t seen my father since this all started and I have friends who have lost loved ones over the last year and weren’t able to see them in hospital/care homes.

@MissEliza

He lived his life to the full. RIP Captain Tom . Please no nastiness.

It's not nastiness to question the mawkish nonsense on social media, for the spewing out of emotions from posters who didn't know him, who have absolutely no understanding of the very poor taste that threads like this actually are.

There are families who are grieving relatives that they never got to say goodbye to, knowing that these people they loved were alone and died without a single family member present.

Carry on being part of the pointless emoji-squad (thanks to another poster for that excellent term), if you want to but I'm appalled at the sheer fakery and lack of regard for people who have not been so fortunate as to have been afforded the same courtesies and considerations.

RIP Captain Sir Tom.

RIP
and thank you

He had a long life, well lived. That should be celebrated, not cried about by people who never knew him.

@HandsFaceSpaceHopper

I think it's because he brought people together, we got behind him and cheered him, only for him to pass away with covid, after everything he did for the NHS, it seems such a cruel irony.

Especially as he caught covid IN hospital.

Indeed, far too many are catching it in care homes and hospitals - places where they should be safe.

I find it sad. That said it's really grating that his family were on hand whereas countless others - who weren't celebs-of-the-moment - have died without that comfort. I wonder how those families feel?

It's very much hospital dependent and also can depend on which ward you're in.

My nana died in May and her 6 children were allowed to visit her for a short time each. She had covid but didn't died of covid.

My other nana died in the summer and again close relatives could visit when she was end of life. She didn't have covid.

My FIL died at the start of April, again not covid, but no one could visit. Fortunately as he was covid free the hospital,was able to quickly arrange a transfer to a hospice for his final two days where MiL, dh and bIL could visit him as he was end of life.

@LemonViolet

Maybe people who want to say negative things could go and do it elsewhere? A lot of us are saying how upsetting we are finding this news (not unexpected, but very disheartening at a time we’re already struggling) and this is just not the place to get into a bunfight about fairness and hero worship, it’s just going to antagonise emotional people.

Too right it's antagonistic. You and posters like you are ignoring those who have lost relatives to covid, who have not had the opportunity to be with them in their last minutes. Shameful.

Lying, it’s possible to have compassion for people who have died alone and for the families who have lost their loved ones unheralded, AND also want to mark the passing of a man who got up off his frail arse and raised millions for a national institution. They’re not mutually exclusive emotions.

My hospital allows arranged family visits for end of life care. Forms are signed and ppe is worn. Limited family maybe one or two.

It won't be because of WHO he is why his relatives could visit.
It would have been because of WHERE he was.
Each hospital has their rules and have done since March.
Many hospitals allow visits at end of life.

Not entirely unexpected - 100 is a great age. I hope his life his celebrated rather than a focus on his death.

@Abraxan

I find it sad. That said it's really grating that his family were on hand whereas countless others - who weren't celebs-of-the-moment - have died without that comfort. I wonder how those families feel?

It's very much hospital dependent and also can depend on which ward you're in.

My nana died in May and her 6 children were allowed to visit her for a short time each. She had covid but didn't died of covid.

My other nana died in the summer and again close relatives could visit when she was end of life. She didn't have covid.

My FIL died at the start of April, again not covid, but no one could visit. Fortunately as he was covid free the hospital,was able to quickly arrange a transfer to a hospice for his final two days where MiL, dh and bIL could visit him as he was end of life.

I'm sorry for your losses, Abraxan, I'm glad that some of your relatives were able to visit.

@LemonViolet

Maybe people who want to say negative things could go and do it elsewhere? A lot of us are saying how upsetting we are finding this news (not unexpected, but very disheartening at a time we’re already struggling) and this is just not the place to get into a bunfight about fairness and hero worship, it’s just going to antagonise emotional people.

This ...why are people so unpleasant? Does it make them feel good about themselves when they press the send button?

Everyone can have family now.

No they can’t. My colleagues FIL is in hospital with covid. They have been told he is unlikely to survive and that they will do their best for him not to die alone but this means a member if staff will be there, the family are not allowed....