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Retired Newark police sergeant Bob Godber's drawing of NHS fundraising hero Captain Tom Moore goes viral




A drawing of NHS fundraising hero Captain Tom Moore has gone viral and attracted thousands of positive comments for its creator.

Retired Newark police sergeant Bob Godber’s artwork was only supposed to be for family and friends, but was widely shared by his daughter, Rosie, and found its way on to a Captain Moore tribute page.

Once there it attracted more than 2,000 comments and more than 1,600 shares with many more appearing elsewhere on social media.

Bob's picture of Captain Tom. (34057235)
Bob's picture of Captain Tom. (34057235)

Bob’s picture was based on photographers’ images of world war two veteran Captain Tom, who raised £29m for the NHS by completing laps of his Bedfordshire garden with his walking frame.

Tom initially set himself a target of £1,000 from 100 laps before his 100th birthday, in a story that gripped the world.

Bob, who has a love of comic books like Marvel and fine art, said: “My wife is a nurse and currently working with coronavirus patients in an intensive care unit and I see the effect that it has on her.

Bob Godber and his granchildren Amelia and Harry. (34057233)
Bob Godber and his granchildren Amelia and Harry. (34057233)

“Captain Tom himself I find to be inspiring.

“Everything else about this virus is bad news.

“There’s such a huge loss of life and our NHS is on the front line caring for people who have it on a daily basis.

“Then we have got this gentleman who survived world war two, is turning 100 years of age, who decides to take a stand against this virus.”

Bob, who was a Newark officer for nearly three decades and recently returned to Nottinghamshire Police as a civilian control room call-handler, said the reaction to his drawing was something of a surprise, incredible, humbling and, to an extent, overwhelming.

“It’s just a drawing,” he said: “It’s nice people like it so much."

He is undecided with what to do with the picture.

Bob's second picture of Captain Tom. (34074008)
Bob's second picture of Captain Tom. (34074008)

It has been suggested he send it to Captain Tom or auction it with the proceeds going to the NHS.

“I have since had requests from people asking if they could use it on birthday cards they want to send to Tom and some have asked if I do commissions,” Bob said.

Captain Tom has received 125,000 cards ahead of his birthday, which is today, the RAF is planning a flypast and there are calls for him to be knighted.

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