Yahoo News Captain Sir Tom Moore honoured by David Beckham and FA as leader of ‘Lionhearts inspirational heroes’ team
NHS fundraising hero Captain Sir Tom Moore has been made honorary captain of a team of inspirational figures, receiving his distinction from former England skipper David Beckham.
The war veteran, who raised nearly £33m for health service charities by completing laps of his garden, was given a framed football shirt for the position.
He was made the first member of a squad of heroes called the Lionhearts, launched by the Football Association, which appealed for nominations of people who “have gone above and beyond during the nation’s fight against the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Mr Beckham, who visited Capt Sir Tom at his home in Bedfordshire, said: “The highlight of my whole career was being made England captain. To have Sir Tom as our captain — it doesn’t get any better than that.
“Everyone was aware at some point of this amazing man, but I think he went above and beyond any expectations out there.”
When Capt Tom began his challenge in early April, he aimed to complete 100 laps by his 100th birthday on 30 April, hoping to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together.
As news of his efforts spread, he became a national treasure, and donations poured in. When he had raised more than £32m, he was honoured with an RAF flypast and a birthday greeting from the Queen. He was also knighted.
Capt Sir Tom told Mr Beckham: “It is very kind of you, and I am delighted to receive that honour especially from you. Thank you very much indeed.”
Asked by Mr Beckham about what makes a good leader, he said: “I think you have to rather like people and realise there is good in everyone and as a leader you can bring it out of them.
“It is no good you asking me about a leader when you have been sitting there and you know you have been one of the biggest and finest leaders in football we have ever had.”
Capt Sir Tom also recalled from from the first day he was conscripted at the age of 20, he had decided “that of all these 500 [new recruits] I am going to be the best”.
He added: “I worked on that throughout. I did get promotion and eventually I was sent to the officer training unit to become an officer.”
The FA called on the public to nominate worthy individuals to join its new squad of Lionhearts, saying nominees could be somebody who had “saved lives, inspired communities, undertaken phenomenal fundraising efforts or simply entertained others” during the pandemic.
