Home » Poems » Tom Cunningham » Captain Tom

Tom Cunningham | + Follow Poet |

Captain Tom

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Tom Cunningham.

I'm sure many of you have heard the story now of the 99 year old world war two veteran affectionately known as 'Captain Tom'

He was always grateful for the care he received whilst in hospital and decided to raise £1000 (pounds) for the N.H.S by walking around his garden a hundred times and using his walking frame and he proudly wore his war medals too.

The story went viral and now people all over the world have heard of captain Tom, the response to his charity was phenomenal and went through the roof in donations, at the last count it had gone to over 20 million pounds and still rising.

He has become a celebrity over night with Royalty, Ministers and celebrities giving Tom well deserved praise.

He has with the NHS choir and singer Michael Ball made a record of the classic song' you'll never walk alone'.

He is a beacon of hope in these dark times and a great inspiration to us all. we salute him.

On the 30th of April Tom Moore reaches 100 years of age

Update, as of today 21st April 2020 Toms fundraising has reached 27 million.
Update as of today 29th April 2020 Tom's fundraising has reached 29 million.
Tom now has two world records to his credit.

The most money raised on a sponsored walk by an individual
and the oldest person to hold a number one place
in the music charts.
Awards given by the Guinness book of World records.

You will have probably heard this story, it's often been told About Captain Tom who's ninety nine years old He's a Second World War veteran who's served his country And was a Captain in the tank regiment in the army. When Tom needed medical help the NHS were there And he wanted to repay them for their loving care A sponsored walk he thought would raise some money For the National Health Service; a worthwhile charity. He put on his medals and used a walking frame Didn't think for a minute he'd gain international fame A hundred laps of his garden he wanted to achieve But what happened next you wouldn't believe. Prince William called him a one man fund raising machine As fundraisers go he's the best we've ever seen The army formed a guard of honour as he neared the finish He has given us a hope that will never diminish. When the story went viral people pledged to pay Over twenty million pounds so far has come Tom's way Royalty, ministers and celebrities have all praised Captain Tom's efforts and the amount that he's raised. He's had interviews from abroad and been on TV Brave Captain Tom Moore is now a celebrity There has been calls to honour him with a knighthood I and thousands of others think that he should.. He's recorded with Michael Ball and the N. H. S. choir Proceeds from the song will make the final toll higher The title of the song is 'You'll never walk alone' You can buy it from a shop or download it on your phone. Tom now has another two awards to his name From the Guinness world records hall of fame In the music charts he's the oldest to reach number one And the other for raising so much in an individual walkathon. On Tom's milestone birthday he'll look up to the sky A spitfire and a hurricane will perform a flyby Flying over his house to show a grateful appreciation And to honour this selfless man on becoming a centenarian. A Western railways train and police dog have added to Tom's fame Because now they both carry Captain Tom's name A promotion to honorary Colonel approved by the Queen For this amazing one man fundraising machine. In these dark times Captain Tom's an inspiration And this heart-warming story has touched our great nation Always upbeat and positive; Tom had this to say "The sun will shine on you again, the dark clouds will go away". Written on Saturday 18th April 2020

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 5/12/2020 1:09:00 PM

Hello Tom Cunningham,I agree that the sun will shine on you and the dark clouds will go away. Enjoy yoour day my friend.

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 5/12/2020 6:03:00 PM

Hello Tom i agree with you. Enjoy your evening my friend.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/12/2020 3:17:00 PM

Thank you Darlene, we must never give up, things will get better. Stay safe Tom

Lisa Brown

Date: 5/3/2020 6:51:00 AM

Congratulations Tom. What a great tribute to an inspirational man. Really enjoyed reading this.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/3/2020 8:30:00 AM

Thank you Lisa, much appreciated, yes Tom has been a great inspiration in these dark times. Stay safe Tom

Kimberly Sikorski

Date: 5/1/2020 9:53:00 PM

Lovely poem celebrating the achievement and sacrifice of one very special veteran !

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/2/2020 6:03:00 AM

Thank you Kimberly, he is indeed, he's brought us all a Ray of sunshine. Stay safe Tom

Brandy Nicole

Date: 4/30/2020 11:24:00 AM

Just wanted to say, that I woke up and said happy birthday to Tom today. :) Inspiration is everywhere. Truly. :) Brandy

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/30/2020 11:46:00 AM

Thank you Brandy, you're right, he's been a beacon of light. Watched him on TV this morning and he had a flypast by the R. A. F, he had a big smile on his face, he's reached 31 million pounds with his fundraising, amazing. Stay safe. Tom

Lin Lane

Date: 4/30/2020 10:44:00 AM

My apologies for being more than belated, Tom. I rarely read anything in PS now, but was glad to see this one. Hugs and stay well, kind gentleman.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/30/2020 11:14:00 AM

Thank you very much Lin, hope you're OK, Tom has been a great inspiration to the country, just heard on his 100 th birthday he's raised 31 million pounds Stay safe Tom

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 4/30/2020 7:48:00 AM

Happy Birthday Today Captain Tom! Wow! Congratulations to him!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/30/2020 8:50:00 AM

Thank you very much Caren, he's an amazing character. Hope you're well. Tom

Wendy Watson

Date: 4/29/2020 4:55:00 PM

Oh a lovely and informative tribute, Tom. I hope he'll have enough puff to blow out his candles tomorrow though!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/29/2020 5:28:00 PM

Thanks Wendy, a great inspiration to us all in these dark times. He will be on BBC breakfast show in the morning, he's something of a celebrity now. Did you see the thousands of cards he's had.? A locomotive and a police dog have been named after him. Tom

Sandra L. Weiss

Date: 4/29/2020 9:17:00 AM

Sorry Tom, Back with congratulations on this being chosen as POTW! Well deserved.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/29/2020 10:02:00 AM

Thank you again Sandra Tom

Sandra L. Weiss

Date: 4/29/2020 9:13:00 AM

What an inspiring poem, Tom, taken from an inspiring story, about an inspiring man. So well written your story flowed smoothly. A lovely tribute to a special man. A special write!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/29/2020 10:01:00 AM

Thank you Sandra, he's been a giant inspiration to us, A police dog has been named after him, an electric train and had thousands of cards for his 100th birthday tomorrow. Stay safe Tom

John Watt

Date: 4/29/2020 6:15:00 AM

Tom, what an inspiration Captain Tom is for his indefatigable efforts to raise money, and you are as well for raising awareness through poetry. I hope to have a portion of that energy for serving others as long as the good Lord grants me breath. Congratulations on your POTW, Tom, it was so well-deserved! ~ John

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/29/2020 7:39:00 AM

Thank you very much John, he is a remarkable man and his fundraising as of today has reached 29 million pounds. His 100th birthday is tomorrow. Tom

Ann Gilmour

Date: 4/27/2020 4:05:00 PM

Such a worthy winner of POTW Tom, back with many congrats my friend, such a wonderful tribute for Captain Tom. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/27/2020 4:51:00 PM

Thanks for your return visit Ann, he's a remarkable man, setting a great example to us all. Stay safe. Tom

Sam Kauffman

Date: 4/27/2020 2:46:00 PM

Tom, can't believe I didn't send you a message when I first read this wonderful tribute to a man illustrating the power of one! It is a remarkable write and so worthy of POTW. Congratulations! Over Fork Over!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/27/2020 2:58:00 PM

Thank you very much Sam, Tom is an amazing man for 99 (100 this week) he's something of a celebrity now. He's had over 100, 000 cards, my daughter sent one with this poem in it. Over Fork Over. Hope you're well. Tom

Eve Roper

Date: 4/27/2020 11:39:00 AM

Hello Tom, back with congratulations on POTW. Hugs Eve

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/27/2020 12:15:00 PM

Thank you for your return visit Eve, much appreciated. Tom

Eileen Manassian

Date: 4/27/2020 10:11:00 AM

I'm glad you've honoured this amazing man with this tribute poem. He's well deserving. To be able to do that in appreciation for the NHS at that age is absolutely amazing. Thanks for this poem and for your visit to my page. Blessings

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/27/2020 10:33:00 AM

Thanks Eileen, he is an amazing man, he's achieved two world records, oldest to reach number one in the charts and for raising so much as an individual on a walkathon. We've took him to our hearts. He's a hundred this week and has had thousands of cards, I've sent him a copy of this poem. Tom

Sandra Adams

Date: 4/27/2020 7:38:00 AM

back to say congratulations on POTW, a deserving poem for this honor... hugs

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/27/2020 8:07:00 AM

Thank you very much for your return visit Sandra, his fundraising hasn't stopped yet, amazing. Stay safe Tom

Maria Williams

Date: 4/27/2020 6:41:00 AM

What an amazing tribute. Kudos to the Tom who at 99 is a legend, an inspiration indeed, and kudos to Tom the Poet who captured his achievement brilliantly. Congratulations Tom on POTW, you sure deserve the honour...Maria Hugs

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/27/2020 7:30:00 AM

Thank you very much Maria, he's certainly a shining light in these dark days, he's inspired artist's and poets alike. I hope you and your family are well, stay safe. Tom

Panagiota Romios

Date: 4/26/2020 9:23:00 PM

Indeed, Tom! No surprise to me this was Poem of the Week.-)) It reflects upon you, who is so willing to give credit where credit is due. I am so very proud of you on this win. God bless your wonderful heart and poetic talents! Panagiota xx Triple KUDOs!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/27/2020 5:33:00 AM

Thank you Panagiota, a nice surprise, and thank you again, you were the spark. And I was the lion lol. Tom

Brandy Nicole

Date: 4/26/2020 7:55:00 PM

Oh my! My heart is touched by what Tom has done. He truly is an inspiration to us all. I agree. On April 30th, I will wish him a happy birthday. I am holding these words so close. Such a wonderful tribute. Congratulations Tom, on Poem of the Week. Hugs, Brandy

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/27/2020 5:32:00 AM

Thank you very much Brandy, he's an amazing 99 year old, just wanted to give something back, then it took off, last I heard was that the fund stands at 28 million, stay safe. Tom

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 4/26/2020 12:48:00 PM

This is a spectacular tribute to an amazing man Tom! Congratulations on your very deserving honor of POTW my friend. Excellent work! xxoo

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/26/2020 1:24:00 PM

Thank you very much Connie, he's a bright light in these dark times. Hope you're well. Stay safe. Tom

Tania Kitchin

Date: 4/26/2020 12:35:00 PM

Congratulations Tom on POTW with your wonderful tribute poem!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/26/2020 12:39:00 PM

Thanks very much Tania, he's been a great inspiration for us here in the UK. He's Inspired others too a 93 year old on The Isle of man where Jan is, is raising money too, Jan wrote a tribute poem also, hope you're well, stay safe. Tom

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 4/26/2020 9:54:00 AM

Back to say congrats on POTW Tom. I’m pleased to see this was this week’s choice. Blessings Rick.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/26/2020 10:40:00 AM

Thank you Rick, of course Tom was the great inspiration for this. His fundraising efforts will never be forgotten. Tom

Vijay Pandit

Date: 4/26/2020 9:52:00 AM

Back with congrats Tom on POTW--glad to see your poem in this space.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/26/2020 10:39:00 AM

Thank you Vijay, have sent Tom a copy of this, he's had songs written, pictures painted and poems composed, he's a true hero. Tom

Ts Poetry

Date: 4/26/2020 8:44:00 AM

A glorious tribute to an astounding person Tom. Congrats on the showcase..

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/26/2020 8:49:00 AM

Thank you very much T. S., he's touched the heart of the nation with his fundraising. Tom

Arturo Michael

Date: 4/26/2020 7:34:00 AM

Congratulations Leanne on POTW...A write that opens the mind...even though what came to me was...Love is like a sperm...All the best my friend...Take care

Arturo Michael

Date: 4/26/2020 7:32:00 AM

Nice one...I thought as I read...Love is like a sperm too... things that come to mind...Congratulations Leanne on POTD...All the best my friend...You deserve this and more...