LONDON (Reuters) – The family of Captain Sir Tom Moore, a World War II veteran who raised millions of pounds for the British health service in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, have urged supporters of tree planting projects to help tackling climate change.
Supporting programs to restore forests in Britain and around the world with charity the Forest Trust and TreeSisters would provide an appropriate way to honor Moore’s message of hope, relatives said ahead of his funeral on Saturday.
“Dad was happier outdoors, walking in all seasons, potting in the garden, and listening to the birds,” Lucy Teixeira, Moore’s daughter, said in a statement.
“And like all grandparents, he was concerned about the fate of his four grandchildren and the negative impact we are having on our planet. ”
Clare Dubois, founder of TreeSisters, which operates in countries including Brazil, Kenya, India and Nepal, said the regeneration of tropical forests would be “lifelong on Earth”.
“These forests are an important part of our planet’s natural cooling system,” said Dubois. “Restoring these forests is a way of giving everyone’s attention.”
The Forest Trust is aiming to raise enough money to plant a memorial forest in Yorkshire, said Darren Moorcroft, the charity’s chief executive.
Moore, who was 100, died on Feb. 2 after receiving a contract with COVID-19. He was challenged to walk 100 laps of his garden before reaching a birthday milestone to raise 1,000 pounds.
By the time it ended on 16 April 2020, there were millions in Britain and beyond, and the total number raised was up to 38.9 million pounds ($ 53 million).
Edited by Janet Lawrence