NHS fundraising hero Captain Sir Tom Moore has urged the nation to be positive despite the gloom.
He said “things will get better” as he launched his charity whose aims include combating loneliness and helping people who are grieving.
The old soldier hopes the Captain Tom Foundation will be a beacon of hope to those struggling on their own.
Sir Tom, 100, told the Daily Mirror: “I have always been a person who is optimistic that things will get better.
“At the moment, we are going through a very difficult time, but it will get better. Throughout my life, I have been through hard times. Things have got better.
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“Don’t be down in the dumps. We need more hope, people looking forward to things.
"There are so many people who, I think, are looking the wrong way. It is time to look forward to when things will get better, and they will. Never doubt it.”
The Second World War veteran, who yesterday also launched his autobiography Tomorrow Will Be a Good Day, said seeing wife Pamela in a care home inspired him to start the foundation. He said he visited her every day for five years until she died of dementia in 2006.
Sir Tom added: “One day she said, ‘If you didn’t come and see me I would be very lonely’. That struck a point in my heart. Some never ever had a visitor and must have been very lonely.
“That’s one of the things the foundation is, to help lonely people and people in difficulties, not just old people.”
The Yorkshireman admitted it will be hard for people to stay positive amid lockdowns. He added: “It’ll be unfortunate if we can’t have the usual Christmas celebrations and families getting together.
"Let’s think it might get better. Maybe it’s going to get better before Christmas.”
He raised almost £39million for the NHS this year by walking laps of his garden. It led to his knighthood.
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