Captain Tom Moore inspires Mansfield police worker to charity art bid

Bob Godber, who works at the control room in Mansfield drew the image of centenarian Captain Tom Moore, who has raised millions for NHS key workers as they continue to care for those who have been affected by covid-19.

Captain Tom Moore, who is celebrating his 100th birthday today, (April 30), and has also received an honorary promotion to Colonel, captured hearts around the world earlier this month when he pledged to walk 100 laps of his garden to raise money for NHS Charities Together, a group of charities supporting staff and volunteers caring for COVID-19 patients.

The former veteran served in India and the Burma campaign during the Second World War, before worked as managing director of a concrete company.

Following the outbreak of coronavirus and keen to help, Captain Tom aimed to raise £1000, however he quickly surpassed that target, gained worldwide support and his walk, later branded Tom's 100th Birthday Walk for the NHS, raised more than £29 million for the charity, which is rising on a daily basis.

His achievement inspired Bob, who hasn’t drawn a picture in over 30 years, to sketch Tom, to capture his heroic effort.Bob said: “Before I joined the police I began taking a degree in Fine Art but at 19 I joined the force. I retired after 30 years’ service working as a response sergeant based in Newark. In that time I haven’t picked up a pencil or drawn anything.

“I picked drawing back up as a hobby when I retired as it’s something I enjoy doing as a pastime and then re-joined the police as I didn’t feel old enough to retire completely.”

“I decided to draw Captain Tom Moore because it is simply outstanding to watch the effort he has made at his age to raise money for the NHS. He is the definition of a true hero.

“My wife, who is a McMillan nurse, has been drafted from her usual cancer based role to help the Covid19 patients in the intensive Care Unit. I can see first-hand how this disease is impacting people, especially my wife, and I wanted to draw him as a tribute.

“It’s great that he’s receiving recognition now because as a young man he will have faced and overcome a lot more, and no one knew about it. For him to achieve what he has really puts things into perspective.”

Supt Paul Burrows said: “I think that Bob’s drawing is exceptional, particularly for its likeness to Captain Tom Moore who has become a hero of mine through what he has achieved supporting our colleagues in the NHS.”

“Captain Tom’s effort has I feel brought back the wartime spirit that he will have experienced in his youth and reminds us that we are all very much in this together. To have a member of our team recognise this and illustrate it is wonderful.”