Last month we shared the story of Captain Tom Moore, a 99-year-old veteran who raised over £32 million for NHS charities by walking laps in his garden. Moore’s goal was to walk 100 laps before his 100th birthday at the end of April. Not only did he achieve this, but he has also been awarded a special nomination for the knighthood by Prime Minister Boris Johnson which has already approved by Queen Elizabeth II.
Moore’s initial fundraising goal was £1,000, but after his story spread online, he reached £70,000 in just 24 hours on his Just Giving page. He now has donations from 1,519,396 people and counting!
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer praised Moore’s work for inspiring his community and bringing together millions of people during a challenging time.
Despite his newfound notoriety, Moore wants to keep the attention focused on the charities that need this money. “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,” he said.
NHS Charities is funding COVID-19 treatment and support in the UK including providing supplies to essential workers on the frontline and donating devices to patients in isolation so they can communicate with their families. Moore says the charity is personally impactful because of their COVID-19 work and because his own wife was treated for a long term illness before she passed away in 2006.
Moore not only helped raise millions for those who badly need it, but he also rallied people across the UK and world during a crisis when we all need a bit of uplifting. We are excited to see him knighted Sir Tom Moore.
