The Captain Tom Foundation

A collection of artworks given to Captain Sir Tom Moore in honour of this 100th birthday were sold at Sworders in a timed online auction which ran from 23 October to 8 November. We are now very pleased to announce that the sale achieved a hammer price of £21,500, with all proceeds raised being donated directly to The Captain Tom Foundation in order to support causes close to their hearts such as combatting loneliness, helping those facing bereavement and supporting education and equality.

The heart-warming story of Captain Tom and the money he raised for NHS charities has been a rare ray of sunshine during an extremely challenging year. His plan was to do 100 laps of his garden, 50 metres at a time, before he reached his 100th birthday on 30 April. The former British army officer hoped to raise £1,000 for the health service that had nursed him through a fractured hip and cancer scare. In fact, the total donated by the public amounted to £38.9million which is now with NHS Charities to distribute.

He said of the NHS frontline staff: “You’re all entering into something where you are putting yourself in danger and you’re doing that for the good of the people here. You are doing a marvellous, marvellous job.”

The “Captain Tom effect” reached well beyond his own charity walk. He inspired fundraising throughout the world, giving motivation to everyone from five-year-old British school children to war veterans in Russia, Canada and Africa.  His actions also inspired artists, both amateurs and professionals, to use their passion and skills to mark his achievement.

Captain Tom received over 120 paintings and drawings. He and his family have been humbled by the outpouring of generosity from people across the UK and indeed all over the world.  What inspired them further was that even once the £38.9million had gone to the NHS Charities they continued to receive scores of messages of support and encouragement. It quickly became clear to the family they could go on helping many more people and subsequently The Captain Tom Foundation has been set up.

‘I was overwhelmed to receive so many wonderful pictures, there are some very talented artists out there.  We discussed how best to celebrate them all and felt that holding an auction would be a brilliant way to share these wonderful pieces with a wider audience whilst also raising valuable funds for causes close to our hearts.  We are grateful to Sworders who have partnered with us to make all this possible.’

The pictures ranged from cheerful amateur sketches to works by professional artists. Manchester artist Jamie Green, who has appeared in two series of Sky Arts' Portrait Artist Of The Year, created his artwork using a reclaimed cupboard door sourced from an architectural salvage yard. The piece was put together over the course of a week.

_{Jamie Green
Reverse carved painted panel
Sold - £2,000}

Jamie says the door is about 100 years old itself, so "seemed to be the perfect foundation" to start with.

"I applied a military green paint to the door surface to create a solid base," he says. "Using various chisels, I etched into the surface to create the portrait. I wanted to create this as a tribute to the outstanding fundraising successes Captain Tom has achieved, and in some way myself make a small contribution.

While at home nursing her nine-month-old baby, Justine Thomas was inspired by Captain Tom to begin painting again. “In lockdown, Captain Tom’s beautiful, kind face inspired me to pick up a paintbrush for the first time in years and spend the last few months of my maternity leave paying tribute to him while my baby napped. “

_{Justine Thomas
Thumbs Up
Sold - £4,050}

 The Captain Tom Foundation:

In summer 2020 Captain Sir Tom united the nation and gave hope when it was needed most. Carrying on his journey, and as a result of the unprecedented support he and his family have received, The Foundation has been set up to continue to motivate people and ensure Tom’s message of hope becomes an enduring legacy, whilst also hoping to inspire a new generation of Captain Toms.

www.captaintom.org

Registered Charity No. 1189808

Follow us on Twitter @captaintommoore

For more information please contact; gemma@captaintom.org