WWII veteran and NHS fundraiser Captain Tom Moore is to receive a knighthood, Downing Street has announced.
Captain Moore has truly captured the hearts of the nation over the last two months and has now raised over £33 million for the NHS during the Coronavirus pandemic. Speaking following the news that he would become Sir Tom Moore, the 100-year-old said;
“I am absolutely overwhelmed. Never for one moment could I have imagined to be awarded with such a great honour.
“I’d like to thank Her Majesty the Queen, the prime minister and the Great British public. I will remain at your service.
“This started as something small and I’ve been overwhelmed by the gratitude and love from the British public and beyond.
“We must take this opportunity to recognise our frontline heroes of the National Health Service who put their lives at risk everyday to keep us safe.”
The Captain had set himself a target of raising £1,000 for the NHS by walking 100 lengths of his 25m garden in Bedfordshire before he turned 100 years old at the end of April. Instead, he walked more than 100 lengths and had raised more than £30 million for NHS Charities Together by his Birthday.
Mr Moore also recorded a cover of You’ll Never Walk Alone with Michael Ball, which went straight to number one in the iTunes chart. The version of the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein song, which also features the NHS Voices for Care Choir, has been raising money for the NHS alongside the Captain‘s walking appeal.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson recommended the award of a knighthood, which the Queen approved. Mr Johnson described the Captain as a “true national treasure” who “provided us all with a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus”.
Photo Source: JustGiving
