Boris Johnson tells everyone to be more like Captain Tom during lockdown

The Prime Minister has called on the nation to show similar optimism and energy.

The Prime Minister has called on the nation to show the same optimism and energy as 99-year-old Captain Tom Moore, who has raised millions for the NHS.

Speaking in Downing Street after battling Covid-19, Boris Johnson praised the World War Two veteran.

Captain Tom has raised more than £29 million by walking laps of his garden in Bedfordshire ahead of his landmark 100th birthday on Thursday.

Johnson said: ‘If we, as a country, can show the same spirit of optimism and energy shown by Captain Tom Moore who turns 100 this week, if we can show the same spirit of unity and determination as we have all shown in the past six weeks, then I have absolutely no doubt that we will beat it together.’

Johnson added: ‘We will come through this all the faster and the United Kingdom will emerge stronger than ever before.’

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In another tribute to Captain Tom, who has captured the national imagination and made international headlines, all mail sent from Monday will be stamped with a special postmark in his honour.

The Royal Mail postmark, which will be applied to all stamped post between April 26 and May 1, reads: ‘Happy 100th Birthday Captain Thomas Moore NHS fundraising hero 30th April 2020.’

His fundraiser’s original target of £1,000 was broken in around 24 hours and he extended his challenge to 200 laps after he completed the first 100 two weeks ahead of schedule.

Johnson addressed the nation outside No 10 for the first time in weeks after his Covid-19 recovery to say lockdown will not be eased just yet.

He described the virus as an ‘invisible mugger’ and apologised for being away from his desk ‘for much longer than I would’ve liked’.

The PM thanked everyone who has ‘stepped up’ in his absence, including Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab who has deputised.

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