3 February 2021

The legacy of Captain Sir Tom Moore lives on at Shropshire’s acute hospitals thanks to his incredible fundraising efforts.

Captain Sir Tom Moore

‘Captain Tom’, as he was affectionately known, died yesterday after contracting coronavirus.

The 100-year-old won a place in the nation’s hearts after raising almost £33 million for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden. His initial target had been £1,000.

Some of the money raised by Captain Sir Tom for NHS Charities Together has been donated to SaTH Charity, which supports the work of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) and the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH), Telford.

One of the TVs donated to Ward 24 at RSH from Captain Tom’s fundraising

SaTH Charity has so far received over £120,000 from NHS Charities together. This money has funded schemes including:

  • Televisions to support patients who are unable to have visitors due to current COVID-19 restrictions
  • Over 30 picnic benches to enable staff to get outside for breaks in the fresh air
  • Welfare support through a counselling service operated through the Trust’s Hamar Help and Support Centre at RSH
  • Hand creams and items needed by staff due to continual use of hand gels/PPE
  • Funding for community engagement with hard to reach groups

SaTH is also looking into the possibility of creating gardens at PRH and RSH which will be named in memory of Captain Sir Tom.

Julia Clarke, Director of Corporate Service at SaTH, said: “Everyone across the country was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Captain Sir Tom.

“He was a complete inspiration to us all and he did more than anyone to raise vital funds to support NHS patients, staff and volunteers during this crisis, when help was most needed.

“Thanks to his amazing efforts, funds have reached the length and breadth of the UK and have made a huge difference on the ground, both to address the immediate needs of patients and staff and to support the longer-term recovery of the NHS.”

Captain Sir Tom’s daughters, Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira, said: “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.

“Whilst he’d been in so many hearts for just a short time, he was an incredible father and grandfather, and he will stay alive in our hearts forever.”