A publicist who says she helped to launch the Captain Tom Foundation feels she was “cut out” by his family weeks after she worked on one of the most uplifting stories during the pandemic.

Daisy Souster said she helped the Ingram-Moore family with their initial public relations when there was “no PR plan” in place.

Ms Souster, 31, claimed she wrote the “life-changing press release”, set up the fundraising page, and ran the Captain Tom Twitter (now X) page when the story broke of the war veteran walking 100 laps of his garden in April 2020 to raise money for the NHS.

Sir Tom went on to raise more than £38m for the health service as it battled against the coronavirus crisis and his family set up the Captain Tom Foundation charity in June 2020.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

After an initial “special time” working for the family, Ms Souster said in a LinkedIn post that her relationship with them suddenly stopped for reasons “unknown” to her.

She wrote: “I had to cut ties with the family when they cut me out and told me I was no longer able to talk about the work I had done.

“I would like to make it very clear that initially, the family were extremely supportive of me and thankful for all that I had done, but for reasons unknown to me, they changed.”

Captain Tom Foundation ‘to close down’ as daughter fights spa demolition

Captain Sir Tom Moore’s family appeals against order to demolish unauthorised spa pool

Captain Tom Moore’s family defend unauthorised home spa after being ordered to knock it down

Read more:
What has happened and why is there an inquiry?
NHS charity distances itself from foundation

The publicist, who provided PR services to the family’s firm Maytrix, had been nominated for several awards and had informed the family of the news.

She said the Ingram-Moores “told me to go for it and would be on my table cheering me on”.

Yet, a week later, she claimed Captain Tom’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, told her she had “no right” to talk about her work or involvement with the PR.

After this, Ms Souster said she “severed ties with the family”.

She said the abrupt switch in attitude by the family caused her “untold distress” as she began to see the credit for her work “taken away” from her.

“Let’s be honest I’m unlikely to ever break a story like that again. It was truly one of a kind – and it certainly should have remained a positive, incredible one at that,” she said.

Ms Souster said she had “no involvement” with them or the Captain Tom Foundation after the veteran’s 100th birthday.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Sir Tom died in February 2021 as a centenarian.

Shortly after his death, the Charity Commission opened a probe into the foundation set up in his name.

The charity, which has run for over three years, is likely to close down following the investigation into its management after a hearing to decide the fate of an unauthorised spa at his daughter’s home was heard.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Meanwhile, Mrs Ingram-Moore admitted keeping £800,000 from the three books Sir Tom wrote before he died – despite the prologue of one of them saying the money would go to the charity in his name.

She said it was what her father wanted.

Sky News has contacted the Ingram-Moore family for comment.

Related posts:

‘We stand with you Marcus’: Hundreds of messages of support cover vandalised Rashford mural Dognappers could face up to five years in jail after rise in pet thefts Flood barriers breached and ‘danger to life’ warnings issued as bad weather continues Man who used dating apps to sexually exploit seven teenage girls sentenced to 25 years 600,000 people to be invited for spring COVID-19 booster jabs next week Woman arrested after Ireland’s foreign minister taken off stage at event in Belfast Six arrested in ‘biggest-ever’ bust targeting people smuggling England and Wales kick off their World Cup – but could be punished for armband gesture ‘Frustrated’ England and Wales decide not to wear OneLove armband after FIFA threat UK and EU enter ‘final talks’ on Northern Ireland post-Brexit deal – how the day will unfold Energy price cap falls – but average household bills still expected to rise Police reopen unsolved 1993 murder case after ‘new and significant’ information