Captain Tom honoured in naming of water rescue boat

A Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service powerboat has been named ‘Captain Tom’ in honour of a celebrated NHS fundraiser.

The name was suggested as part of a Facebook challenge in which members of the public were asked to think of a name for the boat, used by NFRS in water rescues.

The winning name was suggested by Facebook follower Louiza Kew, who said the idea came while watching Captain Tom’s news updates with her two-year-old son.

White Watch at Wellingborough, who challenged the public as part of a Facebook Live event during the national Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Week, picked the name ‘Captain Tom’ from their 28 entries.

The Watch thought it was a fitting tribute to Captain Tom Moore’s heroic efforts to raise money for the NHS.

Captain Tom Moore hit the headlines recently for setting out to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday on April 30, raising millions of pounds, all in aid of the NHS.

Ronnie Sherratt said: “We have been thinking for a while about giving our powerboat an official name and doing a Facebook Live event gave us the perfect opportunity to ask the public.

“With the population currently living with the restrictions of Covid-19 and with the NHS at the forefront of everyone’s minds, we thought the name ‘Captain Tom’ was inspired.

“What a great way to pay tribute to this man’s amazing efforts for the heroes of the NHS, and a way to remember something positive from this challenging time in everyone’s lives.”

Louiza Kew said: “There is a lot in the news at the moment that is quite dark and someone like Captain Tom is a beacon of hope we can all look to.

“He has shown that, at any age, we can offer help and support in this situation we are all in. He is very inspiring and that name was the right choice.”