99-year-old army veteran, Tom Moore raised in excess of a staggering £15million (and rising) to help the UK’s NHS in its fight against coronavirus.
Having smashed his original target goal of £1,000, World War II soldier, Tom Moore, aimed to complete 100 laps of his garden, at his home in Bedfordshire, by walking with the aid of his frame after he said that will not stop well after reaching his original aim.
NHS Charities Together, which stood to benefit from the funds, said it “was truly inspired and humbled”.
Captain Tom – as he likes to be known as – was determined to walk the 100 laps of the 25-metre loop before he reached his 100th birthday which is due nearer the end of the month.
He set the challenge to himself as a way of thanking the ‘magnificent’ National Health Service staff who helped him to recover for his cancer treatment and a broken hip.
But, such was the response to his efforts, more than 100,000 people responded by sponsoring him via his Justgive page.
After exceeding the magic ’13 (million)’, Captain Tom said: “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”.
Finishing his 100-lap marathon challenge in fine fettle, and surpassing £13m, Captain Tom said: “We have had problems before and we have overcome them – We shall all overcome the same thing again”.
Money is still rolling in, from all around the world, in support for the lovable, incredibly strong and determined Captain Tom Moore – and the UK’s equally-incredible National Health Service and other key workers who work on the frontline during this coronavirus pandemic.
Could we soon be doffing our collective caps to Captain Sir Tom Moor any time soon?
