Artist creates mural on Yorkshire street in honour of fundraising hero Captain Tom

Rachel List's latest wallwork has appeared on a street in Pontefract and praises the efforts of the nation's newest hero Captain Tom Moore.

Capt Moore has captured everyone's hearts and imaginations by raising more than £18m for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday in Bedfordshire.

The Yorkshire born war veteran only aimed to raise £1,000 but more than 880,000 people made donations to his fundraising page leading for calls for him to be given a Knighthood.

Artist Rachel has herself being capturing the country's attention with her artworks throughout her hometown of Pontefract that honour the NHS and key workers

Rachel said: “All the murals I’ve painted in town are inspired by culture, national news, lockdown and the NHS, so the fact Tom Moore raised all this money it tied in with what I’ve been doing which is just recognising heroes and inspirational people.

"There is no better example than a 100-year old who served his country and is still willing to help.

“It took just under an hour to creare, I sometimes wish I could spend more time on them because they can always be better, It’s just giving up my hour a day to paint at the safest time.”

The painting can be found near the Malt Shovel Pub, inside the alleyway leading out to the war memorial in the Cornmarket

Rachel said: “I had already had permission to paint this wall but I’ve been waiting to think of the right thing to paint there.

“I thought there’s no better place to put a mural of Tom, as the alleyway gives a sense of walking and direction, and it’s perfect in the sense that it leads out to the war memorial. “

Rachel has also been busy painting two boards, which she and Barkers Fencing will be auctioning off.

The boards will be displayed from 7am tomorrow on Spittal Hardwick Lane.

The profits made from the auction will be split between the NHS and the Prince of Wales Hospice.

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