Season › 2019-20 › News Everton Salute 103-Year-Old World War Two Veteran With Surprise VE Day Visit Friday, 8 May, 2020 12comments | Jump to most recent In recognition of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Everton in the Community has today celebrated the achievements of its oldest participant, 103-year-old World War Two veteran Tom Beevers. Everton Veterans' Hub participant Tom — who served with the 7th Armoured Division of the British Army — was surprised at his home in Maghull by Everton in the Community Project Manager Dave Curtis, a fellow veteran, who came armed with a Blue Family care package on behalf of Everton Football Club and its charity. The care package included a selection of Tom's favourite meals, including his beloved Mr Kipling cakes! Tom also received a personal note of thanks from Chairman Bill Kenwright, who sent his love and greatest respect on the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (May 8, 1945). The Everton Chairman expressed in his note what an honour it will be to be able to meet after the coronavirus crisis in order to convey in person how much Tom's service to his country means to every Evertonian. And, as the United Kingdom fell silent at 11am to reflect on the enormous sacrifice, courage and determination shown by people from all walks of life during the Second World War, Tom stood side-by-side with his daughter Lynn and Everton Veterans' Hub Programme Manager Dave to pay their respects and remember their comrades. Article continues below video content Tom, whose regiment is better known as the renowned Desert Rats which saw distinguished active service in North Africa during World War Two, has been a participant in the charity's Everton Veterans' Hub programme since 2018. As well as being supported by the Club's official charity, he has also received additional support and assistance from the Club by way of general home maintenance, adapting his house to his changing circumstances. Everton Veterans' Hub Project Manager Dave Curtis said: “It has been a privilege to surprise Tom at home on the 75th anniversary of VE Day and to join him in the two-minute silence. He is a much-loved and well-respected member of our group at Everton in the Community and we are all indebted to him and his fellow servicemen and women who fought to defend our country in our hour of greatest need. “Tom is a very humble and unassuming man - but it has been an honour to represent the Chairman, Everton Football Club and the charity today as we recognise and celebrate his achievements and dedication to our country.” Lynn Davidson, Tom's daughter, added: “I'm so proud of my dad; you couldn't find anyone prouder than me right now. He's a hero along with all the other people who fought in for our country, without them we wouldn't have the life we have today. “It means the world to him and us for him to have the support of Everton and Everton in the Community - he's absolutely made up with his card from Mr Bill Kenwright and his hamper of treats and can't wait to meet the Chairman in the future.” Launched in 2016 as Knowsley Veterans' Hub and renamed to Everton Veterans' Hub in October 2019, the programme supports ex-service personnel who are at risk of isolation by engaging them through sport, training and social activities. The programme offers a range of engagement tools, support mechanisms and evidence-based behavioural change methods to improve the lives of veterans and their families. As well as directly supporting veterans, the programme also benefits the local community with the participants improving their skills, finding employment, avoiding potential anti-social behaviour and reducing their likelihood of ill health. The charity also supports elderly ex-service personnel who are at risk of social isolation through its ‘Aged Veterans' programme and engages them in a wide range of interactive activities such as reminiscence sessions, history sessions and days out to places of historical interest. Through Everton Veterans' Hub, the charity has supported 650 veterans with the transition back to civilian life and supported 15 veterans with mental health issues - whilst moving 15 more away from homelessness. You can support the programmes that help people like Tom by donating at www.evertonfc.com/bluefamily Reader Comments (12) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Chris Hockenhull 1 Posted 08/05/2020 at 19:09:34 Wonderful. And thank you, Tom and all your comrades and all those who served, for what they did and the sacrifices they all made in the name of freedom. God bless you all. John McFarlane Snr 2 Posted 08/05/2020 at 19:54:12 Hi Chris [1], I have no idea what other clubs do in respect of providing support to members of the community, I can only say that I am extremely proud of Everton FC for their efforts. I was approaching my 7th birthday on VE Day but have no recollections of the occasion. My dad, who served with a number of regiments for the duration of the war, was a virtual stranger to me when he was demobbed and, like many others, he kept his memories to himself. I appreciate the debt we owe to that generation and I view the efforts of Everton as highly commendable, they prove to me that they are more than just a Football Cub. Tony Hill 3 Posted 08/05/2020 at 20:24:49 Hear, hear, John @2.What I find particularly admirable is how the club's charity is so well targeted. There is no sentimental waffle, just good things precisely delivered. Bravo. Karl Masters 4 Posted 08/05/2020 at 22:11:52 Well done, Everton. Giving back to the Community and people like this who have given so much, and risked their lives for the rest of us. Christine Foster 5 Posted 08/05/2020 at 23:03:49 Fabulous! Makes you proud of the club, EitC in particular. Appreciation of the best kind, care and support and Mr Kipling's exceedingly good cakes!Well done, EFC. Steve Ferns 6 Posted 09/05/2020 at 00:17:31 Well said, John. Paul Birmingham 7 Posted 09/05/2020 at 01:56:45 Superb by EFC. Top and real Class. Kiern Moran 8 Posted 09/05/2020 at 02:42:40 Excellent work, well done the club. And words can not describe the thanks for the sacrifice of those who fought so that we could remain free. For our tomorrows, they gave their days. Phil Greenough 9 Posted 09/05/2020 at 10:58:05 "Todays" Kieran. Neil Copeland 10 Posted 10/05/2020 at 18:41:04 Very proud to be blue when I hear the great things that EitC does. John #2, great post. I hope you are keeping well. Jay Harris 11 Posted 10/05/2020 at 19:20:13 Good to hear from you, Sir John, and agree with your sentiments.Hope you are keeping well and staying safe. John McFarlane Snr 12 Posted 12/05/2020 at 14:54:39 Hi Neil [10] and Jay [11], thank you for your good wishes, I'm in good spirits and making the best of what is a horrible stage in my life. I have refrained from posting on the Coronavirus situation because of my ignorance of the subject. I know a little about Everton and football in general, enough to allow me to engage in the exchange of opinions, and my opinion at the moment is that there is no way that football, or any social sport or entertainment, at any level, should be staged until it is deemed safe to do so. I read quotes like "We must protect the integrity of the game" and "It would boost the morale of the country," and (rightly or wrongly) I interpret them as saying, "We must protect our financial position" and "Let's attempt to deflect the criticism." I see a lack of 'integrity' in the stance of the FA/Premier League, and the best way to boost the "morale of the country" [in my opinion] is to defeat this horrible disease. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads