Captain Tom Moore, the veteran of World War Two, who has now raised over £30 million for NHS charities, turned 100 years old today and was promoted to honorary colonel
Captain Moore’s original goal was to raise £1,000 for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden before his milestone birthday, but as news of his fundraising efforts spread, the target on his JustGiving page was massively surpassed.
Captain Tom has now raised over £30 million for NHS Charities on his Just Giving page.
On the 14th of April, Captain Tom Moore completed the final 10 laps of his fundraising walk, at the time he had raised over £14 million for the NHS.
Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, was at Tom’s birthday celebrations this morning, where he promoted the former Army captain to the honorary rank of colonel of the Army Foundation College, in recognition of his achievements, the Queen recognises this promotion.
Captain Tom’s birthday celebrations also included a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast by a Spitfire and a Hurricane above his home in Bedfordshire .
Tom Moore has also been sent over 140,000 birthday cards that have been placed in a hall within the school that his grandson attends.
Tom will be spending the rest of his 100th birthday with his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and her family at their Bedfordshire home, where they have all been self-isolating together.
“It is quite extraordinary that I am turning 100,” he said.
“It is even more extraordinary that I am doing so with this many well-wishers and I am in awe at the response my walking has had.
“To everyone who has donated, sent birthday cards and messages, sincerely thank you.
“Please stay home, stay safe. Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day.”
Mr Moore has also been honoured with a commemorative Royal Mail postmark, with all of their stamped post being marked “Happy 100th Birthday Captain Thomas Moore NHS fundraising hero 30th April 2020” until Friday.
NHS Charities Together, who are to recieve the donation form Tom, have said that they are “truly inspired and humbled”.
Ellie Orton, chief executive of the charity on the receiving end of Mr Moore’s fundraising, said: “I think I absolutely join the rest of the country in being truly inspired and profoundly humbled by Captain Tom and what he has achieved.”
“Thank you for being an inspiration and a role model.”
