PRINCE CHARMING
Prince William and Kate Middleton hail ‘one-man fundraising machine’ Captain Tom Moore as Tom dubs Will ‘super prince’
CAPTAIN Tom Moore delightedly dubbed William "my super Prince" after the Duke hailed him a "one-man fundraising machine".
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sent a video to the World War Two hero, who has raised more than £18million for the NHS by walking laps of his garden.
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Prince William called him a "legend" and said: "It's incredible, it's amazing. What I love also is that he is a 99-year-old war veteran.
"He's been around a long time, he knows everything and it's wonderful that everyone has been inspired by his story and his determination.
"I think he's a one man fundraising machine - good on him, I hope it keeps going."
Tom laughed after watching the clip and said: "I think it's absolutely amazing, that my super Prince could say something like that."
The man who has touched the heart of the nation completed 100 laps of his garden on a walking frame, then vowed to carry on as donations continued to pour in.
Prince William also wrote to Tom and made an undisclosed donation, and Downing Street even hinted at a knighthood, saying: “The Prime Minister will be looking at ways to recognise Tom and his efforts.”
Tom said: “I’d be amazed to have such an honour and meet our absolutely marvellous Queen. It’s unbelievable that it could happen."
Ellie Orton, of NHS Charities Together, added: “We are astounded. Tom’s contribution will make a huge difference to the wellbeing of staff, volunteers and patients.
“If it was up to us we’d knight him tomorrow. Thank you Tom.”
It's incredible, it's amazing. What I love also is that he is a 99-year-old war veteran. He's been around a long time, he knows everything and it's wonderful that everyone has been inspired by his story and his determination.
Prince William
More than 800,000 have signed online petitions calling for “Sir Tom”. Tom, who turns 100 on April 30, only planned to raise £1,000.
It comes as Prince William hailed NHS heroes caring for tragic coronavirus victims "dying alone" in a moving new interview in which he warns nobody is "super human".
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were speaking to the BBC ahead of a new video which highlights pandemic mental health advice on the Every Mind Matters website.
William revealed his worries for his dad, Prince Charles, after he caught coronavirus, saying: "And actually he was very lucky he had mild symptoms and I got a lot of good reassurance from doctors and friends of mine who said 'listen, the days he's on when we found out about it, he's probably passed the worst of it'.
"And obviously speaking to him made me feel more reassured that he was OK, but again at that age you do worry a bit more."
On his grandparents, The Queen, 93, and Prince Philip, 98, he added: "And obviously I think very carefully about my grandparents - who are the age they're at, we're doing everything we can to make sure that they're isolated away and protected from this."
It comes after new data revealed more than four in five Brits are worried about the effect that coronavirus is having on their life.
William and Kate, who launched a £5million scheme to help UK’s mental health charities during lockdown, have now narrated a video due to be released on Monday.
Speaking to BBC's Tina Daheley, the Duke said: "Frontline workers are used to dealing sadly with very sad situations, death and things like that but I think the scale and the speed of what’s going on in hospitals, bearing in mind also the isolation, a lot of these patients are dying with no family members around them.
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"I think for the NHS frontline workers that is very difficult, because they are there right next to the bedsides, looking after and caring for each and every patient in a critical condition.
"I think they take away that pain and that sometimes that fear and loneliness that these patients have to go through, they’re the ones who absorb that and take it home to their families.
"I’ve spoken about the attrition and the daily attrition rate of that happening to somebody is not normal.
"We’re not super human any of us, so to be able to manage those emotions and that feeling is going to take some time after all this is over as well."
In the interview, which broadcast this morning, Ms Daheley asks Kate: "Do you think this will fundamentally change who we are and what we value?"
The Duchess then went on to praise the amazing work being carried out by those on the frontline of the coronavirus battle.
She said: "I think what we’re saying now is the NHS and the frontline workers are doing the most extraordinary job and that’s really come to the forefront in the last few weeks.
"I think it’s going to dramatically change how we all value and see our frontline workers and I think that is one of the main positives that you can take from this.
"They do an extraordinary job it does unrecognised daily and now I think all of us as a nation can really see how hard they work and how vital their work is."
It's now been revealed the royal couple will tell the nation "we're in this together" in a video aimed at supporting the country's mental wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak.
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William and Kate will sympathise with those in lockdown, with the duke saying: "It's not always easy. We can feel frustrated, miss loved ones or get anxious."
As images of deserted streets are shown, then carers being clapped by the nation, William says in the video: "All over the country people are staying at home to protect the NHS and save lives.
"It's not always easy. We can feel frustrated, miss loved ones or get anxious."
Kate takes over to say: "So now, more than ever, Every Mind Matters. There are things we can all do to look after our mental wellbeing at this time.";
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The Duke adds: "Every Mind Matters can help get you started with your NHS online plan. Showing you simple steps to help deal with stress, boost your mood and feel on top of things."
The Duchess says: "Search Every Mind Matters to get your action plan today," and the couple say the final words together "We're in this together".
IPHE has launched new guidance after the Office for National Statistics Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, which aims to understand the impact of the outbreak on British society, found 84 per cent of those questioned worried about the effect the pandemic is having on their lives.
With just over half saying it was affecting their wellbeing.
The range of new resources include a tailored Covid-19 mind plan, and support for specific mental wellbeing issues like anxiety, stress, low mood and trouble sleeping.
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The website signposts people to activities such as mindful breathing exercises, help "reframing" unhelpful thoughts, and muscle relaxation.
Alongside the new mental health support, Every Mind Matters encourages people to complete a personal Mind Plan, a quick and free interactive tool offering tailored mental wellbeing advice.
The NHS-endorsed content has been developed in partnership with clinicians, academics and leading mental health charities and social enterprises including Mind, Mental Health Foundation, Samaritans, Rethink and Mental Health First Aid England.
Baking star Nadiya Hussain said communicating with her friends and family helps her cope: "For me, reaching out to people, talking to my loved ones, helps manage it."
While England footballer Jesse Lingard said: "I'm doing yoga twice a week at home to look after my mental health. Speaking to my family on a regular basis is also really helpful as they give me support and make me feel connected."#
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who completed self-isolation after contracting Covid-19, said: "It's vital that we all look after our mental health in these challenging times, so today we are launching new guidance on the NHS Every Mind Matters website which is tailored to help people deal with this outbreak through practical tips and advice.
"Whether it's through exercise, keeping to a routine, or trying something new - there is so much we can do to keep our minds healthy and prevent issues becoming more serious - and I'd encourage everyone to take advantage of this brilliant resource."
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge support new Every Mind Matters campaign to help look after mental wellbeing during coronavirus pandemic
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