Captain Ott?

[Theblip]

Captain Tom was undoubtedly a lovely brave old man who raised a record-breaking amount of money for the cash-strapped NHS, and was an inspiration and lifted the nation’s spirits during this pandemic. Last year he got a knighthood, Pride Of Britain Award, a hit record, a Piers Morgan Life Stories, etc. Since he died there’s been a special clap, Parliament stopped to honour him, GMB dedicated a whole show to him, there are calls for a hospital to be named after him, a statue to be erected, etc etc. But I am now going to put my head above the parapet fully expecting to be shot down in flames when I ask: isn’t it all a bit OTT? My arguments would be: He didn’t intend to raise more than £100 - the extraordinary donations were from other people. Plenty of people will have done tougher things to fundraise for the NHS, though may be not at such a grand age. Yes he fought for our country - so did countless others. He was adorable with an endearing turn of phrase, but so are many. The likes of Sean Connery, Des O’Connor, Bobby Ball and Maradonna who also died recently had far greater impacts on my life, yet their deaths didn’t get anything like this reaction. Okay, I’ve put my tin hat on. Fire away!

[emmie]

his foundation is the way forward.... i don't think a statue is the right thing at all.

[Theblip]

For the record, and as you can clearly see, at no point did I say that the response was Captain Tom’s fault. That would be seriously stupid

[Zacs-Master]

How did the people you mention have an ‘impact’ on your life?

[anneasquith]

Brave post . Media completely OTT.

[Bobbisox1]

Neither Diego Maradona , Sean Connery, Des O'Connor or Bobby Ball had an impact on my life , Sir Tom did, I like millions more ,admired the man immensely in his quest to raise money for our NHS and has since himself inspired people like five year old Tony Hudgell and Rajinder Singh , the "Skipping Sikh" to raise money , veterans of our country are remembered each year on Armistice Day aren't they ?
OTT ? No I don't think it is.

[iluvmargie]

No way do I think it was OTT. He deserved it all. Just looking at his gentle face and twinkling eyes made me smile.

Tilly - I like that too, very much,

[naomi24]

I can’t say that any of the people mentioned in the OP have had any impact on my life whatsoever. It has, however, been heart-warming to witness the inspiration, the encouragement and the sense of hope and unity that Captain Tom brought to the country and to the world. Whilst the response to his death may somewhat OTT, in dark times people need to feel a spirit of optimism and Captain Tom certainly provided that. His was a generation of courage, resilience, honour and stalwart determination, the like of which we shall never see again. He - and they - have my greatest respect. Rest in peace. Captain Tom.

[Zacs-Master]

Well said, N.

[gulliver1]

Love to Know how the money will be spent, and who is in charge of the Millions raised,???

[Zacs-Master]

Here you go gulliver (it’s quite a lot of words tho, so you’ll have to concentrate really really hard)....
https://www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/what-we-do/

[dannyk13]

Gulliver
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52758683

[emmie]

when they showed a retrospective of his life, they showed a clip of when he was on Blankety Blank, his sole claim to fame at that time, but he went on to create a legacy that will go through the NHS and beyond.

[Theblip]

Zacs Master, because they entertained me over many years. Sir Tom was only in the public consciousness for about 10 months.

[Zacs-Master]

That’s not an ‘impact’ tho is it?

[barry1010]

I get what you mean completely. I know somebody who has been volunteering for more than 40 years for a very deserving charity, has helped to raise millions of pounds and even now she is in her 80s devotes several hours a week to the cause. In her younger days she fostered very troubled teenagers. Thankfully there are many like her, she would be horrified to be thrown in to media glare.
Sir Tom was certainly a good person but somebody was working behind the scenes to get him so much publicity in the first place. The generosity of the general public was admirable.

[dannyk13]

Blip// Sir Tom was only in the public consciousness for about 10 months.//
And had an impact on millions more people than any of the other people you mentioned.

[naomi24]

Life isn't all about you though is it, theblip.

[emmie]

the people who sent cards and donated were from around the world..

[Theblip]

DannyK, It is an impact in my opinion. And I would definitely say Sean Connery and Maradonna each had an impact of far more people than Captain Tom. Naomi24, where did I say life is all about me?

[Bobbisox1]

So you aspire to a cheat like Maradona then Blip?