Royal British Legion to sell commemorative Captain Tom poppy pins

The Royal British Legion is to sell poppy pins made in tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore to raise funds for the charity.

The special pins, available in silver and gold, each have 100 laser-edged ridges to symbolise Sir Tom’s 100 years, his 100 laps of his garden and 100 years of the Royal British Legion charity.

A gemstone is placed at the centre of each poppy to signify hope.

All profits from the poppy pins, priced at £29.99 each, will go to the Royal British Legion, of which Sir Tom was a passionate supporter.

Second World War veteran Sir Tom captured the nation’s imagination at the height of the first coronavirus lockdown last year, setting out to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.

He raised £38.9 million for the NHS, including Gift Aid, with the money given to NHS Charities Together.

Before his death in February this year, he and his family set up The Captain Tom Foundation with the motto of “inspiring hope where it is needed most”.

The Foundation designed and approved the commemorative poppy pins.

Sir Tom’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore said: “My father was passionate about the wonderful work of the Royal British Legion, so to have his own Captain Sir Tom Moore poppy pin to help raise funds and awareness for their cause would have been a dream come true.

“My father’s belief that ‘Tomorrow will be a good day’ was a testament to the spirit he maintained during and after serving for his country, and which he shared with our family every day while living with us.

“But he was acutely aware that many who had served for their country did not have the support that he did, so knowing that the Royal British Legion is there to offer care and community for veterans was very important to him.

“It’s an honour to work with the Royal British Legion to continue my father’s legacy to inspire hope where it’s needed most.”

Nikki Garman, of the Royal British Legion, said: “It’s been a huge privilege to work with Hannah and The Captain Tom Foundation on the creation of this pin.

“Captain Sir Tom was an inspiration to the nation and has touched many lives throughout his army career and beyond.

“We are truly honoured to launch this commemorative pin in tribute to him and his incredible foundation in our centennial year.”

The pins will be available from Monday exclusively from the Royal British Legion Poppy Shop.