I have a feeling you may recognise this dignified old gentleman? His name is Thomas Moore, or ‘Captain Tom’, as he has become known. Mr Moore set himself the challenge of walking 100 laps of his garden, before his 100th birthday (30th April), in order to raise money for the NHS. At the time of me writing this message to you, he has raised £25 million …incredible!
As you can see, he is looking very smart, his thumbs up and there are three medals pinned to his jacket. Mr Moore was awarded these campaign medals for his military service during World War II, they are the 1939-1945 Star, The Burma Star and the 1939-1945 War Medal (see below).
‘Captain Tom’ was a tank commander, who rose to the position of Captain during his time in Burma. On his return to Britain, after the War, he served as an instructor at the Armoured Fighting Vehicle School in Bovington, Dorset.
At the end of next week it will be Mr Moore’s 100th Birthday and his challenge will be completed. His has been an inspiration to a great many people and has proved that age, and the difficulties we all currently face, are barriers that we can overcome. He has given hope to a nation, in a time of hardship and pain. Here’s what he said about it recently:
“For all those finding it difficult: the sun will shine on you again and the clouds will go away”
So, here’s my loving challenge for you this week. You often hear the expression ‘They deserve a medal for that!’
Well, by Thursday 30th April (Captain Tom’s birthday),
could you design a medal
that you think Mr Moore should receive on his birthday, as recognition for his 100 laps and the money he has raised for the NHS! Below are pictures of the War medals Mr Moore already has.
Alternatively, if you wanted, you could create a birthday card for him or design/make a ribbon with the coloured strips you think best represent his bravery and courage in tackling this test of endurance (rainbow colours!?).
If you send these to me by Thursday April 30th, I have a link where I can actually share these with Mr Moore to show our own appreciation for his fantastic achievement and as a token of our gratitude and thanks…and to wish him ‘Happy Birthday’ of course!
Related Web links:
https://family.gonoodle.com/activities/strengthen-your-focus
YouTube – The Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin (11:04) -
https://youtu.be/9y6Mtll5b0w
Helpful links:
YouTube clip – How should a dog wear pants? (1:03)
YouTube clip – Zentangle art//Doodle patterns//Zen-doodle (22.17)
YouTube clip – Op Art Tutorial (7:12)
Family reflection questions
What words best describes our family?
What are our strengths as a family?
What is our purpose as a family?
If our home could be filled with one feeling, what would it be?
What makes you want to come home?
What would you like for other people to say about our family?
What kind of relationships do we want to have with each other?
How do we want to talk to each other and treat each other?
As a family, we are at our best when…
Name three things you want our family to value.
How are we unique as a family?
What are some of our family’s core values and beliefs? (i.e. honesty, loyalty, kindness, acceptance).
What do you want our family to accomplish in the next 5 years?
Example of Family Charter or Mission Statement