UK NEWS

British Army veteran Tom Moore, 99, raises over £1.6million for the NHS

14 April, 2020
Carl D. Pearson

A 99-year-old British military veteran who has raised more than £1.6m to help the NHS in the fight against COVID-19 has vowed to keep going even though he has smashed his original £1,000 target.

Tom Moore aimed to complete 100 laps of his Bedfordshire garden by Thursday walking with the aid of a frame, however, the legend has now said he will not stop his fundraising and hopes to now complete another 100 laps.

NHS Charities Together, which will benefit from the funds, said it was “truly inspired and humbled” by the huge efforts Mr Moore has gone to in order to raise the funds.

Captain Tom Moore

Since the fundraiser’s conception, more than 75,000 people from around the world have donated money to the cause.

Mr Moore began raising funds to thank the “magnificent” NHS staff who helped him with treatment for cancer and a broken hip, he hoped to walk 100 laps of the 25-metre (82ft) loop in his garden in Marston Moretaine, in 10-lap chunks, before his 100th birthday at the end of the month.

Mr Moore known as Captain Tom described it as “almost unbelievable” that donations passed the £1million mark

Captain Tom Moore’s 100th Birthday Walk for the NHS – Source: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tomswalkforthenhs

“When you think of who it is all for – all those brave and super doctors and nurses we have got – I think they deserve every penny and I hope we get some more for them, too,” Mr Moore said.

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.”

Taking to Twitter Mr Moore celebrated and thanked everyone for donating to the cause, he wrote: “WOW WOW WOW

“1.5 million pounds for our amazing NHS

“I am blown away by the Great British public and their generosity!

“You are all so amazing and showing what is so special about our great Nation.

“Thank you #walkwithtom #TomorrowWillBeAGoodDay”.

Mr Moore, was born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, and trained as a civil engineer before enlisting in the army for World War Two, rising to the rank of captain and serving in India and Burma, he has now vowed to carry on and raise more money.

Mr Moore said: “Let’s all carry on and remember that things will get better.

“We have had problems before – we have overcome them – and we shall all overcome the same thing again.”

You can donate to Captain Tom’s NHS fundraiser here> https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tomswalkforthenhs

-->