FORCES sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn wants the incredible efforts of Captain Tom Moore to serve as an inspiration to the nation.

The We'll Meet Again singer has called for people across the UK to follow the veteran's shining example and donate to charities struggling during the coronavirus crisis.

It follows Captain Tom Moore's campaign to raise £1,000 for the NHS Charities Together by walking 100 lengths of his garden before his 100th birthday.

The campaign captured the attention and imagination of Britain and has now raised almost £30 million.

But, with thousands being furloughed and suffering pay cuts as businesses struggle to cope in these challenging and uncertain times, many charities in the UK are fighting for survival with donations dwindling.

The Argus:

Dame Vera Lynn's own charity, The Dame Vera Lynn Children's Charity, was recently forced to launch an emergency fundraising appeal to ensure it can continue to provide its essential services during the global pandemic.

Dame Vera, who lives in Ditchling, said: "Like the rest of the country, I was so inspired by Captain Tom Moore’s incredible achievement over the past few weeks. These are very difficult times for everyone, whether it be personally, professionally or financially and small charities are no exception.

“If at all possible, I ask people to follow the wonderful example of Captain Moore and support smaller charities like my own that are not on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis but still provide vital services to vulnerable people across the country."

The Argus:

In recent weeks, it has had to close its centre in Cuckfield.

The organisation's chairwoman, Deborah Hay, said: "We are now providing one-to-one video support to families as well as general activities and advice to keep the children as active as possible.

"Much of our work is to help them build motor control, so it is important we maintain that progress.

"Unfortunately, we are facing a financial crisis as we try to maintain a vital lifeline to the families we help.

"Our services are free of charge, but we don’t receive any statutory funding and we aren’t eligible for any of the Government’s Coronavirus Small Business Grants or Business Interruption Loan Scheme."

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