Captain Sir Tom Moore is set to become the oldest cover star for GQ magazine in their January 2021 edition.

The Centenarian was taken to the hearts of the nation earlier this year raising over £32 million for NHS charities by walking 100 laps of his garden.  His initial target of £1,000 which was originally intended to be gifted to NHS staff as a thank you following recovery from cancer and a broken hip, was smashed within days.

The total amount of £32.8 million raised by Sir Tom was gifted to the NHS’s charitable wing ‘NHS Charities Together’ which focuses on the comfort and wellbeing of staff and patients alike.

Some examples of how the funds have been used include welfare packs of food delivered to wards in County Durham where NHS staff were unable to take breaks due to sheer demand.  Items such as lip balms and hand creams were also gifted too to help combat the effects of dry and cracked skin as a direct result of wearing PPE and excessive amounts of handwashing during long shifts.

In other trusts such as London’s Charing Cross Hospital, pop-up shops were created to support staff working long shifts with free food. Support like this has also been of huge importance to those whose households have also seen dramatic changes in the job market due to the furlough scheme and job cuts.

Funds have also been used to create a ‘wellbeing’ wing for staff at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital, offering an oasis of calm for staff during these unprecedented times, with further signposting for ‘listening services’ which are also funded by the appeal.

When told that he was due to be the oldest cover star yet to feature on GQ’s January 2021 front cover, Captain Sir Tom Moore said; ‘Well, that something special, isn’t it?’ adding ‘And maybe next year I’ll be the oldest again!’

In these extraordinary times, it is clear that our combined efforts as a nation are able to deliver something very special indeed.  As we brace ourselves for what has been described as a ‘hard winter ahead’ perhaps during this period of uncertainty we could all take some inspiration from the World War II Veteran; ‘For all those finding it difficult: the sun will shine on you and the clouds will go away’.

Image: Conde Nast - Inspiration of the Year: Captain Sir Tom Moore

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Carrie Plummer - Editor & Content Manager