Good Morning Brown Clee!
This week our focus has been on the power of positive thinking – and we learnt about Richard Parks and how he overcame the frustrations and massive disappointment in losing his high-flying rugby career due to an injury, but by having a positive outlook and persevering he achieved the amazing 737 challenge!
This week saw the sad news that Captain Tom Moore sadly passed away at the grand age of 100 years old. Captain Tom became an inspiration to the country back at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, with his positive ‘can-do’ attitude which led to him to creating the phrase “Tomorrow will be a good day!”
Back in April 2020, he started his 100th Birthday Walk, where he challenged himself to walk 100 lengths of his garden (which was 25m long) and complete the walk on his 100th Birthday, with a view to raising £1000 for the NHS. Not only did he complete the walk on his 100th birthday, but he inspired the world with his perseverance and positivity, and raised a whopping £30 million by the morning of his 100th birthday!
Following this awesome achievement, Captain Tom wrote a picture book called “One Hundred Steps” that tells the incredible story of the man who walked 100 laps of his garden and captured the heart of a nation. Here he is with his grandson Benjie – enjoy and listen as he reads his own story to you…
Captain Tom Moore was a hero twice over – serving in the army during World War 2, and then again raising the spirits of the country along with a huge amount of money to help the NHS. He explained his motivation:
“When we started off with this exercise we didn’t anticipate we’d get anything near that sort of money. It’s really amazing. All of them, from top to bottom, in the National Health Service, they deserve everything that we can possibly put in their place. They’re all so brave. Because every morning or every night they’re putting themselves into harm’s way, and I think you’ve got to give them full marks for that effort.”
So as we continue moving through (and out!) of the coronavirus pandemic, and when things seem bad or you’re feeling low – try to remember Captain Tom’s wise words – “Tomorrow will be a good day”.
Captain Tom would know the singers of the today’s song, called “Positive Thinking” – they’re called Morecambe and Wise – you can’t help but smile watching them sing it!
Prayer of the Day
Dear God,
We thank you for the people who have worked so hard on the front line through incredibly difficult times.
We pray that, as young people, we will be able to work successfully to shape a society in which we are fully represented, and for which we are fully prepared to take on our responsibilities.
We pray for better times ahead and look forward with hope for the future.
Amen.
