It’s a sad fact that loneliness is deeply felt and understood by the elderly very often. That’s why, now that lockdowns ensue in many areas of the world and loneliness spreads to those affected, Captain Sir Tom Moore decided to start a walking challenge with the goal of promoting wellness and engaging people in a good cause.

Captain Sir Tom Moore and His Charity Work

A veteran of World War 2, Captain Sir Tom Moore, made extraordinary fundraising efforts during the UK’s first lockdown. He raised over 33 million pounds for NHS charities by making one hundred laps in his garden by his 100th birthday, which was on April 30th this year. Due to the success of his efforts, which made global headlines, he was knighted in May. Understanding the importance of mental health and wellbeing, Moore set up a foundation aimed towards helping those suffering from loneliness. The Captain Tom Foundation that launched in September is supported by four other charities including the Royal British Legion, the mental health charity “Mind”, the Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes, and the Helen and Douglas House children’s hospice in Oxfordshire. A WW2 veteran, humanitarian, and centenarian, Captain Moore has signed off rights for a biographical film to be made of his life.

A Global #WalkWithTom Initiative

With loneliness being something that millions of people have been struggling with this year and will continue experiencing in the coming days, Captain Moore calls upon everyone to take action. He told reporters that there will be many lonely and frightened people out there that we need to provide help to and that we can all brave this difficult situation together. With lockdowns and tight restrictions in effect in the UK, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the #WalkWithTom challenge started on November 5th. People are encouraged to walk at home, around their garden, or do any kind of walking and share it with others via social media. The goal is to keep one’s mind occupied, get exercise, and increase happiness. The foundation has a JustGiving page where anyone can provide donations.

A lot has been said about the French involvement in the American Revolution, but just how crucial were they to helping the Independence happen as it did? Setting aside the unexpected bravery of French aristocrat and one of France’s wealthiest men at the time, Marquis de Lafayette, there is more to the story. Here are five ways the French helped make the American Revolution happen.

1. The French First Lent Their Political Philosophy

By the mid-1760s, the majority of founding fathers were eagerly consuming French political philosophy, including Rousseau and Baron de Montesquieu. These philosophers argued that the sovereign power of a state should reside with the people rather than a monarch and that a government of checks and balances is how you keep things fair and non-despotic. Many argue that without the ideas of these bright French minds, the revolution may never have been inspired to take place.

2. Britain Was Their Enemy Too

Still bitter from its defeat to England in the Seven Years’ War, France saw an opportunity in America’s rebellion to seek revenge, and not seek it alone. Some say that it wasn’t until the Americans won the Battle of Saratoga in 1777 that the French were convinced the rebellion had a chance of succeeding. France’s support transformed what might have been a dubious colonial rebellion into a significant war.

3. The French Practically Paid for the American Revolution

Although the formal treaties between the rebels and France weren’t made until 1778, an informal one was made early on. One night in December 1775, Benjamin Franklin slipped into the Philadelphia’s Carpenters’ Hall to meet Julien-Alexandre de Bonvouloir, the secret envoy sent from France. Their meeting marked their unofficial partnership. Franklin’s team would later send Silas Deane to France to find military engineers as well as clothing, arms, and ammunition for 25,000 soldiers which France paid for.

4. They Shared Material, Money & Soldiers

Great ideas and long wars aren’t won without the continuous support of someone with money. That’s what France did for the rebellion. According to estimates, the French provided around 1.3 billion French livres of money and goods to support the war. In the notorious victory at Saratoga, more than 90% of all American soldiers were carrying French arms and using French gunpowder. In addition to that, France sent over 12,000 soldiers, together with 22,000 naval personnel. That’s a lot of help right there.

5. They Gave Rebels Political Legitimacy

If it weren’t for France, the majority of world powers would have seen the American revolutionaries as treasonous subjects rebelling against The Crown. France’s willingness to negotiate with Franklin, Deane, and their successors conferred legitimacy to them as American leaders. The Treaty of Amity and Commerce they signed in 1778 paved the way for Americans to trade internationally, and it formally acknowledged the US as an independent nation.