A wacky dad and daughter have paid tribute to NHS fundraising hero Captain Tom Moore by creating a life-sized model of him – out of BALLOONS.
Craig Cash, 39, and daughter Olivia-Mae, nine, spent two hours painstakingly blowing up and crafting the colourful sculpture before proudly displaying it on their driveway.
The 5ft 6ins model, which is made up of 100 balloons, comes complete with Cpt Tom’s war medals and the walking frame he is famously using to complete laps of his garden.
The pair came up with the unique way to honour the 99-year-old World War Two veteran on Sunday (19/4) after his Justgiving appeal reached an astonishing £26 million.
Children’s entertainer Craig has been modelling balloons for 16 years but has turned to making eye-catching tributes with his daughter since coronavirus lockdown.
He has already made a rainbow balloon arch in recognition of NHS workers and says Captain Tom was an obvious choice since he captured the hearts of the nation.
The married dad-of-one, of Horncastle, Lincs., said: “Since the lockdown began we have been decorating the drive with balloons of all different sizes to try to cheer people up.
“Captain Tom Moore was the ideal target because he’s captured everyone’s hearts and imaginations and I just thought I’d create the best tribute that I can for him.
“He’s been so humble with it all and I think he just wanted to raise £1,000, so he’s captured the whole spirit of the time by going out and doing this part.
“Him doing a hundred laps of his garden shows us you can do anything if you put your mind to it.
“It took about two hours to build and there are about 100 balloons in the piece of many different sizes. My models retail for between £100 and £150, so that’s what is worth.
“There’s no glue or framework holding it together, only friction. It’s about five-and-a-half foot tall.
“I’ve made full-sized motorbikes and superheroes before but I think this is something that will stay with me.”
Craig, who owns Twist and Make Balloons and also works as a CCTV and alarm fitter, says the giant sculptures are also a way of spending quality time with his family.
He says his artwork is a way of showing support and spreading positivity during the pandemic.
Craig, who lives with wife Laura, 35, added: “I think they just catch the spirit of what we’re all going through.
“My daughter helped by blowing up the balloons and holding them up. It was nice to do something with her outside the house.
“She also helped with the rainbow arch for the NHS and it gives my wife a break from homeschooling.
“I don’t normally do balloon decorations at home but during the lockdown I was wanting to do something with the family. So my daughter and I have been doing these since.
“They seem to be catching imaginations and I hope they help take peoples minds off what’s happening.”