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Britain organized an air liftoff and 140,000 people sent out cards to mark the 100th birthday on Thursday of a World War II veteran whose amazing fundraising efforts have inspired a country deep in a coronavirus outbreak.
Having served Britain in the past century, “Captain Tom” Moore has gotten himself in the thick of his latest battle by roaming his garden to raise money for health care charities.
At the last count, he had raised more than £ 30 million ($ 37 million) to help support staff and volunteers working on the coronavirus effort at the state-run National Health Service (NHS).
Moore’s efforts and humility have propelled him to an iconic state, with a high-speed train named after him and all the letters sent to the British postal service this week with a birthday message.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Prince Charles and England Football Captain Harry Kane were among those congratulating on their centenary.
The enthusiastic cricket fan also became an honorary member of the England cricket team and a birthday message was broadcast on the giant billboards at London’s Piccadilly Circus.
Cards from around the world filled the vast classroom of her grandson’s Benjie’s school, and thousands of children have sent her drawings.
“His heroic efforts have lifted the spirits of the entire nation,” Johnson, who recently recovered from the coronavirus, said in a video message.
“You have created a channel so that millions of people can sincerely thank the remarkable men and women of our NHS who are doing an amazing job.”
Honorary promotion
On Thursday morning, RAF pilots flew a Spitfire and a hurricane, usually deployed for World War II memorial events, over Moore’s home in Bedfordshire, north London.
Captain Tom Moore’s 100th birthday has been marked with an RAF air flight over his home pic.twitter.com/bWOfBQuFdT
– The sun (@TheSun) April 30, 2020
Live television footage showed the veteran in his backyard, elegantly dressed in a jacket and tie with his medals to his chest, waving as he passed.
“I remember when they flew not in peace, but in anger,” he told the BBC.
Separately, the army announced that it was making Moore an honorary colonel, an appointment approved by Queen Elizabeth II, and called him an “inspiring role model for young and old generations.”
“I never, never anticipated anything like this in my life,” Moore said of the support, thanking everyone who texted her.
He congratulated himself on Johnson’s new baby, who was born on Wednesday, and said, “Well done, Prime Minister!”
Moore said he was “very moved” to have been named Honorary Colonel, adding: “I am still Captain Tom, that’s who I really am. But if people choose to call me” Colonel, “well, thank you very much.
Table topper
Moore’s last mission began on April 6, with the goal of raising £ 1,000 for NHS charities as thanks for the treatment he received while suffering from cancer and a hip fracture.
The former engineer, who worked in India and Myanmar, planned to raise the money by completing 100 laps of his 25-meter (yard) garden, applying for online sponsorship.
But the generosity of the public far exceeded his hopes, and he received millions in a few days.
Moore completed the final leg of his journey just 10 days later, crossing the line with the help of his gait and a military honor guard.
He now holds two world records: raising the most money on an individual charity walk and the oldest person to get number one on the UK charts.
England cricketers have lined up to congratulate Moore on his century, and former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan awarded him his own England cap.
“There are 695 men and 160 women who are part of that special club of English test cricketers,” said Vaughan, who also captained Moore’s home county of Yorkshire.
“We all want to welcome Captain Tom to our team,” he said, adding that it was “our way and our time to say” thank you. “
Moore’s unlikely rise to the top of the charts came with a charity version of the musical classic and popular soccer chant. You will never Walk alone, in which he sings along with British star Michael Ball and the NHS choir.
“We are very proud of how the nation has taken grandfather in his heart,” said grandson Benjie.
“Words cannot express how much I idolize him.”
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