Everyone at NHS Charities Together is devastated by today’s news, and our hearts go out to Captain Sir Tom Moore’s family and friends.
Ellie Orton, Chief Executive for NHS Charities Together, said:
“Captain Sir Tom Moore 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. We owe him so much and we are devastated at today’s news. Our hearts go out to his family.
“Thanks to his amazing efforts, funds have reached the length and breadth of the UK through every one of our 241 member charities, and they 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 inspired so many people to take on their own extraordinary challenges, from running marathons to swimming lakes, and he gave us all hope. He showed NHS patients and staff who were struggling that people cared, that they were looking out for them and doing what they could to support them.
“Captain Sir Tom was a one-off and he leaves the world a better place. It has been a complete privilege to be associated with him. His legacy will be felt for years to come by all of our NHS charities and the patients, staff and volunteers we support. When the time is right, we will put together a suitable tribute to Captain Sir Tom, in honour of everything he did for NHS charities.
“Thank you, Captain Sir Tom. We will miss you and we won’t ever forget you. Our thoughts are with your family and friends.”
Captain Sir Tom directly raised £33 million for NHS Charities Together’s Covid-19 appeal.
As a result the charity has been able to provide much needed bereavement support for those who have tragically lost loved ones to Covid-19, though its member charities.
Other projects have helped isolated patients in hospital, using technology to enable them to stay connected to loved ones at one of their most difficult moments. And thanks to the funds raised the charity has supported the emotional and practical needs of staff, including counselling programmes and helplines, so that they can focus on their life saving work at a time of immense pressure.
The support of NHS charities will be crucial in the years ahead as the health service recovers from the most challenging period in its history. NHS Charities Together is continuing to work with member charities to ensure funds are used where they are most needed, now and in future.
NHS Charities Together is the national charity caring for the NHS. We help provide additional support to patients, NHS staff and volunteers, working through our 241 member charities based with hospitals, ambulance trusts, community health trusts, mental health trusts and health boards across the UK.
In total our Covid-19 appeal raised £150 million thanks to the support from Captain Sir Tom and thousands of others. Over £110 million has already been made available to our 241 member charities to help patients, staff and volunteers on the ground.
Captain Sir Tom leaves the world a better place through the support he rallied for the NHS and through the ongoing impact of the Captain Tom Foundation.
