A STATEMENT FROM POINTS OF LIGHT PRESIDENT AND CEO NATALYE PAQUIN IN HONOR OF CAPTAIN SIR THOMAS MOORE

Today, we celebrate the life and service of an extraordinary individual whose legacy will continue to be a beacon of light for others.  

In his final years, Captain Sir Thomas Moore provided a striking example about the power of one person to make a difference. He showed us that you are never too old to create meaningful change. You just have to take one step at a time.  

Captain Sir Thomas Moore first served his community and his country as a soldier in the British Army. Last year, he captured the hearts of millions around the world, and certainly all of us at Points of Light, when he raised more than £38.9 million ($53 million) for the National Health Service, which is the free government-funded medical and health care services for residents of the United Kingdom.   

When the coronavirus pandemic struck, Captain Sir Thomas wanted to give back to the healthcare staff putting their lives on the line. Prior to the pandemic, he had benefitted from their care when he fractured his hip. 

His initial plan was to do 100 laps in his garden before his 100th birthday. He hoped to raise £1,000 for the NHS. £38.9 million later, he inspired a whole nation, and drew praise and admiration from around the world.  

In September, we had the privilege of presenting Captain Sir Thomas with The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award, which honors outstanding individuals advancing solutions in ways that demonstrate the extraordinary traits of our 41st president: integrity, empathy, respect, optimism, conviction in the face of opposition, and belief in the power of the human spirit to create positive change.  

From his military career to his fundraiser for the NHS, and the decades in between, Captain Sir Thomas lived a civically engaged life. Let his legacy serve to inspire us all to use our time, talent and treasure to make the world a more just and equitable place for all.