TOM'S TRIUMPH
I’m a big fan of the Queen… I’d love to meet her, says Captain Tom after knighthood petition passes 800,000
CAPTAIN Tom Moore’s astonishing NHS fundraiser hit £18million this morning — after the nation applauded our brave medics for a fourth week.
World War Two hero Tom, 99, last night completed 100 laps of his garden on a walking frame, then vowed to carry on.
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PM Boris Johnson, recovering from the virus, rang to tell him: “You are an inspiration.”
Prince William wrote to Tom and made an undisclosed donation.
Downing Street even hinted at a knighthood, saying: “The Prime Minister will be looking at ways to recognise Tom and his efforts.”
Tom said: “I’d be amazed to have such an honour and meet our absolutely marvellous Queen. It’s unbelievable that it could happen.
Holding up The Sun, he added: “I’m a huge fan of everything Her Majesty has done for this country.
“I don’t think I’m a global phenomenon at all — just a grandad doing some laps of his garden.”
Wiping away tears, he added: “It’s out of this world. I never dreamt I’d be involved in such an occasion. This is for all the people finding it difficult at this moment.
“You’ve all been very brave. It’s difficult to be penned up in such a small space for such a long time. Good for you.
“Remember we will get through it. It might take time but at the end of the day we will all be OK. The sun will shine on you again and the clouds will go away.”
Tom went on: “I am going to keep walking because I know that I have the incredible British public behind me every step of the way.”
Join our George Cross campaign for NHS staff
SUN readers are today urged to sign a petition calling for our NHS staff to be awarded the George Cross.
Yesterday, we backed a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.
A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.”
SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.”
We are asking readers to sign the petition online at .
His efforts are enough to provide NHS heroes with more than 114million pairs of protective gloves or five million hospital gowns.
Ellie Orton, of NHS Charities Together, said: “We are astounded. Tom’s contribution will make a huge difference to the wellbeing of staff, volunteers and patients.
“If it was up to us we’d knight him tomorrow. Thank you Tom.”
More than 800,000 have signed online petitions calling for “Sir Tom”. Tom, who turns 100 on April 30, only planned to raise £1,000.
More than - with #KnighthoodforCaptainTom trending.
By yesterday morning he had £12.5million in pledges — £500 for each of his 2,500 steps on the 80ft loop of his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire.
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Tom wore the three medals he earned for fighting the Japanese in Burma, and soldiers from 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment formed a guard of honour as he completed his last lap at 8.30am.
He beamed: “It is a fantastic sum of money it’s unbelievable that people could be so kind.
“We’re in such a strange time but I try to think about positives — the stories I read of people helping each other, communities coming together, neighbours being kind.
“My nephew Adam is a doctor and I couldn’t be prouder to clap for him and the other workers.”
Tom’s favourite singer Michael Ball sang You’ll Never Walk Alone on BBC Breakfast and told him: “It’s an extraordinary achievement.”
Forces’ sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn, 103, sent Tom a signed letter saying: “What a wonderful and astonishing achievement. Can you tell me how you do it!!”
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Captain Tom said of her note: “This is from a very special lady.”
F1 champ Lewis Hamilton added: “What a legend! I’m blown away by this. We could all learn something from you!”
Footie ace David Beckham wrote: “Truly inspiring.”
Body Coach star Joe Wicks, 33 wrote: “Huge congratulations.”
TV’s Paddy McGuinness wrote: “What about this gent. Generosity, bravery, willpower, human spirit. Captain Tom, not just a national treasure, an international one too”.
Princess Eugenie posted: “You are an inspiration. Thank you.”
Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes said: “You make me want to cry. You’ve got the heart of the nation fluttering.”
Boxing champ Anthony Joshua added: “You are phenomenal.”
Actress Joanna Lumley said: “Bravo Tom, you are fabulous.”
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Millions of Brits again took part in Clap for Our Carers at 8pm.
Pensioners sang the National Anthem outside a care home in Southsea, Hants. Service personnel joined in from Iraq. The Wembley Arch, Royal Albert Hall and Lincoln Cathedral were lit up blue.
Boris Johnson joined in the clap at Chequers while fiancée Carrie Symonds tweeted: “Clapping harder than ever tonight for our carers. You are the best of Britain.”
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