The Prime Minister has said he will lead a national round of applause at 6pm this evening in honour of Captain Sir Tom Moore.
The Second World War veteran died yesterday at the age of 100 after capturing Britain’s heart in the early days of the pandemic when he raised nearly £33m for the NHS.
MPs held a minute’s silence today before Prime Minister’s Questions, after which the Prime Minister asked Britons to take part in a clap straight after his 5pm Covid press conference this evening.
Captain Tom’s family said they were “incredibly touched” by the gesture. A tweet from the Captain’s Twitter account said the family: “will be taking part with huge love in their hearts for their father, grandfather and father-in-law.”
Addressing the Commons this afternoon, Boris Johnson said Captain Tom had “dedicated his life to serving others, and encouraged everyone to take part in tonight’s tribute which will also recognise NHS health workers.
He said: “We all now have the opportunity to show our appreciation for him and all that he stood for and believed in.
“That is why I encourage everyone to join in a national clap for Captain Tom and all those health workers for whom he raised money at 6pm this evening.”
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the house speaker, said the departed captain “exemplified the best of our values” and paid tribute to his “dignity and determination”.
Clapping for the NHS every Thursday became a tradition during the first lockdown as the nation took to their windows and doorsteps to thank all those working on the Covid frontline.
It returned last month as the UK was plunged into a third lockdown – with the event renamed Clap for Heroes.
Tributes have flooded in since the announcement of Captain Tom’s death from an overwhelming number of public figures including Sir Keir Starmer, David Beckham, Piers Morgan and the Queen who Buckingham Palace said will send a private message of condolence to Captain Tom’s family.
Britons will come together at 6pm tonight (Wednesday) to clap hero Captain Tom and his beloved NHS.
