Captain Tom Moore's 100th birthday Spitfire flypast is CANCELLED 'because the Department for Transport have deemed it non-essential travel'

A Spitfire flypast to celebrate Captain Tom Moore's 100th birthday has been cancelled after the Department of Transport cited concerns over whether it would encourage crowds to form amid coronavirus lockdown.
The Mark 9 Spitfire, named The Spirit Of Kent, was supposed to fly over Cpt Tom's home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, at 8pm on Thursday, just in time for the nation's weekly Clap For Carers.
But the planned flight from the Biggin Hill Restoration Hangar, 75 miles away from Cpt Tom's home, had to be scrapped when the Government department deemed the event 'non-essential travel', The Telegraph reported. 
Cpt Tom, 99, set out to raise £1,000 for NHS Communities by doing laps of his garden before his 100th birthday. 
A Mark 9 Spitfire named The Spirit Of Kent (pictured) was supposed to fly over Cpt Tom's home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, at 8pm on Thursday, just in time for the nation's weekly Clap For Carers
A Mark 9 Spitfire named The Spirit Of Kent (pictured) was supposed to fly over Cpt Tom's home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, at 8pm on Thursday, just in time for the nation's weekly Clap For Carers
After passing that target in less than 24 hours, donations have poured in support of Cpt Tom and his current tally rests at £29million

Alex Monk, a pilot who works for the company that restored the Spitfire, told the newspaper they had to ask permission, but would still be going ahead with a more limited flight path.
He said: 'It's not black and white, but could be frowned upon if we just did it without giving a heads-up.'
Instead of a flypast, the Spitfire will fly in a five-mile radius around the Biggin Hill airfield - something the company does not need permission for.
The plane will fly at 250mph, 500ft above the Princess Royal University where the pilot plans to do a 'wing wiggle' in support of NHS staff.
The planned flight from the Biggin Hill Restoration Hangar, which is 75 miles away from Cpt Tom's (pictured) home, had to be scrapped when the Government department deemed the event 'non-essential travel', The Telegraph reports
The planned flight from the Biggin Hill Restoration Hangar, which is 75 miles away from Cpt Tom's (pictured) home, had to be scrapped when the Government department deemed the event 'non-essential travel', The Telegraph reports
Alex Monk (pictured), who works for the company who restored the Spitfire, told the newspaper they had to ask permission, and would still be going ahead with a more limited flight path
Alex Monk (pictured), who works for the company who restored the Spitfire, told the newspaper they had to ask permission, and would still be going ahead with a more limited flight path
'That way they can see a Spitfire and we can do a salute to the people of the NHS,' Mr Monk added.
No other acrobatic manoeuvres will be performed because of strict rules set out by the Civil Aviation authority, but the plane has already been drained of stale fuel and is undergoing maintenance in preparation.   
It comes after Cpt Moore was given 120,000 birthday cards wishing him well and thanking him for his incredible fundraising feat.
The Second World War veteran turned down offers of gifts and instead asked for them to go to coronavirus sufferers.
125,000 cards sent to Captain Tom Moore for 100th birthday
Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
0:00
Previous
Play
Skip
Mute
Current Time0:00
/
Duration Time0:42
Fullscreen
Need Text
The plane (pictured) will fly at 250mph, 500ft above the Princess Royal University where the pilot plans to do a 'wing wiggle' of support for NHS staff
The plane (pictured) will fly at 250mph, 500ft above the Princess Royal University where the pilot plans to do a 'wing wiggle' of support for NHS staff
It comes after Cpt Moore was given 120,000 birthday cards wishing him well and thanking him for his incredible fundraising feat.
It comes after Cpt Tomwas given 120,000 birthday cards wishing him well and thanking him for his incredible fundraising feat. His grandson Benjie stands in the Great Hall of Bedford School surrounded by the cards
Cpt Moore's fundraising efforts have gained praise from royalty and celebrities, now people from around the world have written to him wish him a happy 100th birthday on Thursday, April 30
While most of us will be happy with a mantelpiece full of cards, Cpt Tom Moore has enough well-wishers to fill the entire Great Hall of Bedford School, near his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire
While most of us will be happy with a mantelpiece full of cards, Cpt Tom Moore has enough well-wishers to fill the entire Great Hall of Bedford School, near his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire 
Birthday cards from around the world have been sent to a boarding school in Bedford to wish Captain Tom Moore a happy 100th birthday
Birthday cards from around the world have been sent to a boarding school in Bedford to wish Captain Tom Moore a happy 100th birthday 
As he prepares to become a centenarian, Cpt Tom has captured the country's hearts and Brits decided to send off birthday cards ahead of the big day. 
Now Bedford School, near the veteran's home, has filled its school hall with thousands of cards from across the country.
But with just three days until he turns 100, Cpt Tom has declined any gifts from the public and instead asked for the public to donate to people suffering as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Benjie, Cpt Moore's grandson, holds one of thousands of cards written to his grandfather ahead of his birthday on Thursday
Benjie, Cpt Moore's grandson, holds one of thousands of cards written to his grandfather ahead of his birthday on Thursday
Capt Tom captured Britain's heart after raising £29million for NHS charities by walking 100 laps of his Bedfordshire garden before his 100th birthday this Thursday
Capt Tom captured Britain's heart after raising £29million for NHS charities by walking 100 laps of his Bedfordshire garden before his 100th birthday this Thursday
Bedford School staff opened and displayed thousands of cards as they arrived at the boarding school, which dates back to the 16th century
Bedford School staff opened and displayed thousands of cards as they arrived at the boarding school, which dates back to the 16th century 
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge praise Captain Tom Moore
Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
0:00
Previous
Play
Skip
Mute
Current Time0:00
/
Duration Time2:38
Fullscreen
Need Text
Today he tweeted: 'I continue to be offered lots of lovely items. I really do have everything I need but others are struggling due to Covid-19 so, rather than giving to me, please look to donate these generous offers to a local care home or someone in your community. Thank you.'
The cards are being held at Bedford School, attended by Cpt Moore's 16-year-old grandson, Benjie Ingram-Moore said: 'It means a lot to grandad as well as us as a family. We are hugely proud of how the nation has taken grandad to its heart. Words can't express how much I idolise him.' 
A total of 140 volunteers including pupils, parents, teachers and alumni have been helping organise the lorry-loads of cards being delivered to wish Cpt Tom a happy 100th birthday. 
As well as lining the floors of the Great Hall, cards hang from the ceiling and sit on the stage as staff scrambled for any bit of space to put the influx of letters wishing Cpt Tom Moore a happy 100th birthday
As well as lining the floors of the Great Hall, cards hang from the ceiling and sit on the stage as staff scrambled for any bit of space to put the influx of letters wishing Cpt Tom Moore a happy 100th birthday
The Great Hall of Bedford School can hardly be seen among the thousands of cards addressed to Cpt Tom Moore, who pulled in more than £29million worth of donations for the NHS
The Great Hall of Bedford School can hardly be seen among the thousands of cards addressed to Cpt Tom Moore, who pulled in more than £29million worth of donations for the NHS 
By Sunday Cpt Moore had received around 1,000 gifts and more than 100,000 cards, which are being held at Bedford School, he's now asked well-wishers to send gifts to people who are suffering during the coronavirus pandemic
By Sunday Cpt Moore had received around 1,000 gifts and more than 100,000 cards, which are being held at Bedford School, he's now asked well-wishers to send gifts to people who are suffering during the coronavirus pandemic

Yesterday Cpt Tom's eldest daughter Lucy Teixeira said he had received at least a thousands gifts 'of everything from chocolate and flowers'.
Speaking to the Sunday People, daughter Lucy said: 'He is absolutely blown away and humbled by the support.'
She added she will be singing Happy Birthday to her father on BBC Breakfast on Thursday, saying: 'And he will have cake – he loves cake.' 
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were among the voices praising Cpt Moore for his incredible fundraiser, with Prince William hailing the Second World War veteran as a 'one-man fundraising machine'.
He added: 'He's been around a long time, he knows everything and it's wonderful that everyone has been inspired by his story and determination.'
Captain Tom Moore's 100th birthday Spitfire flypast is CANCELLED 'because the Department for Transport have deemed it non-essential travel' Captain Tom Moore's 100th birthday Spitfire flypast is CANCELLED 'because the Department for Transport have deemed it non-essential travel' Reviewed by Your Destination on April 28, 2020 Rating: 5

No comments

TOP-LEFT ADS