The Captain Tom Foundation and Virgin Money Giving have partnered to encourage people to pay tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore on the weekend that would have been his 101st birthday.
The Captain Tom 100 challenge invites to take on a challenge around the number 100 and raise funds to help others.
In the Trunkwell gardens at Thrive Reading, client gardeners have been walking round a 100m route around our garden, which they are completing 100 times collectively! This comes almost exactly a year after Sir Tom did a similar challenge in his own garden.
You can watch the client gardeners taking part in the 100m walk on our Youtube channel.
Client gardeners taking on the 100m walk
Ray Norton, Thrive ambassador and volunteer decided to go down a creative route for his challenge with 100 rhyming lines relating to Thrive.
We think it's a wonderful tribute to Captain Tom and Thrive - thank you Ray!
Ray's poem
Captain Tom said 'Tomorrow will be a good day'
Tom is the start of Tomorrow
He raised close to £40 million for charity which is totally amazing
A simple statement giving hope and inspiration
Action is required on loneliness and deprivation
At 100 years of age Tom encouraged social unification
The charity Thrive shares Captain Tom's ambition
We can celebrate 100 years in varied acts of repetition
With rhyme as the reason herewith a poetic aspiration
The sun is rising . Its so good to be alive.
Happiness joins in and to the latter we strive
It takes determination and drive
Sometimes we fail and nosedive
From your legs remove the gyve
It is time to rev up and go into overdrive
If insufficient then try hyperdrive
On your own you may need help. Ask Thrive
Nature can help you revive
You will never see a bee skive
Always busy back and forth to the hive
They dance to message but are yet to jive
So many birds bring joy as they skydive
Their songs delight even when from the archive
Flora and fauna are trusted friends of Thrive
Daffodils and Anemone announce spring will arrive
The days will lengthen allowing health to survive
Some spirited people will into cold water dive
A dubious pleasure we cannot deprive
People coming together is encouraged by Thrive
Three people in union have the strength of five
At harvest the tool of choice is the scythe
It can be used by a Smith or a Smythe
Take all tasks at face value and don't connive
In British India, there was a man named Clive
Honesty and empathy are important to Thrive
At times we need the security of a hythe
We can reflect and our future contrive
We can stem the flood of problems with a shive
Or take a side step, wriggle and writhe
Friends can help our difficulties shrive
Havens and community are fundamental within Thrive
Giving can create a feeling so blythe
We can divide and offer others a slive
A good option is to donate at least a tithe
In order to give, donations are also required by Thrive
Eat well in order to live well. Try an endive
Improve the flavour and add a chive
An appropriate diet can help you stay lithe
Growing food is a rewarding therapy used by Thrive
Nature produces bird song none better than a grive
Listen to the buzz generated around a beehive
Owls in the night converse echoingly soft and wise
Bats fly erratically seeking food with a dip and a dive
Getting close to nature is encouraged by Thrive
Creating harmony in the garden is a powerful enlivening activity
This is personal but can be shared within a social environment
Successes and failures can be shared with pride or humility
The telling can be advisory,amusing and create laughter
Information, techniques and humour are valued by Thrive
A synonym of to thrive is to bloom
An open flower can alleviate gloom
Growing from seed brings boom boom
Techniques can be shared presently on zoom
At a wedding the principal man is the groom
The creation of floral beauty is practised by Thrive
Another synonym of to Thrive is to succeed
Between finger and thumb you can sow a seed
Germination is a wonder to behold and sustain
Self confidence and self worth can also grow
It is important to feel at one with yourself and nature
Confidence and contentment are important to Thrive
Dementia conceals its depth and places the sufferer incognito
Thoughts flutter and rarely land denying fruitfulness
Despondency, annoyance, tiredness may precede sleep
Interruption is welcomed but not easily accomodated
Help is welcomed but not always easily accomodated
A gentle touch and a broad smile often lift the spirit
Visual recognition of the beauty of plants gives uplift and joy
Love, understanding and optimism are provided by Thrive
In Germany to Thrive is sich entwickelen
Und zusammen man kann besser bekommen
In France to Thrive is avoir du succes
Liberty Equality and Fraternity are in their heritage
In Italy to Thrive is avere successo
This is celebrated with a hot cappuccino
In Japan to Thrive is seiko suru tame ni
Japanese society shows this economically and socially
In Spain to Thrive is tener exito
Tener exito results from trabaja mucho
The world shares the sentiments valued by Thrive
The sun sets slowly filling the horizon with colour and warmth
The scale of the event is broad with limitless perspective
The universe lies beyond in apparent infinity
On reflection we are insignificant like a single star
However we contribute to the wonder of our planet and the universe
Tom believed that we are equally important
Our actions should align with the goal of equality in the world
You'll never walk alone
In Tom's memory, we can enjoy tomorrow and Thrive.
Ray Norton
The client gardeners at Thrive London did a fantastic job of potting on 100 beans and 100 sunflower seeds. They are going to plant them in our gardens and sell some from our kiosk in Battersea Park.
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