Sir Tom Moore
Published Wednesday 3 February 2021 at 12:24
Flags are flying at half-mast in Blackburn and Darwen today to honour the life of Captain Sir Tom Moore.
The 100-year-old Keighley-born fundraiser died yesterday after testing positive for Covid-19.
Buildings, including Blackburn and Darwen Town Halls have their flags flying at half-mast.
Denise Park, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Chief Executive, said:
“Sir Tom Moore was a truly remarkable man, raising the nations spirits with his inspirational determination.
So today we fly the Union Flags at half-mast and think of Sir Tom’s family and his loved ones.”
In order not to break the spirit of the lockdown rules, the request to fly the flags at half-mast were done so by a member of Council staff who was already working on site as an essential worker.
The Council is also displaying tributes to Sir Tom on both its digital screens in the Town Centre and on Barbara Castle Way in Blackburn.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Mohammed Khan, OBE, said;
“Captain Sir Tom Moore’s extraordinary efforts became a shining light for us all during some of the darkest days of the pandemic.
He was a truly remarkable man, bringing us joy, inspiration and a reason to smile and look forwards amid all the uncertainty of the past year.
“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones today and we hope they will take some comfort in the knowledge that he will be recognised and remembered not only across the nation but across the world as a humble man of great northern spirit, humour and determination.”
Sir Tom has been credited with lifting the nations spirits with his saying ‘Tomorrow will be a good day’ – a sentiment that brings us all hope.
The centenarian was known for his incredible fundraising efforts for the NHS. Captain Tom, as he is popularly known, set out on a personal challenge to complete 100 laps of his garden before his 100th Birthday.
He was hoping it might generate enough support to raise a modest £1,000 for the NHS.
The World War Two veteran’s steely determination to keep lapping his garden with his walking frame, come rain or shine, soon captured the hearts of well-wishers across the globe.
His status as a nation-wide hero was cemented when his JustGiving page raised an incredible £33m in donations, whilst the touching charity single he released with Michael ball made him the oldest artist to claim a UK No 1.