Captain Tom Moore gets 100th birthday message from the Queen after cheering on flypast and being promoted to Colonel

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CAPTAIN Tom Moore received a 100th birthday message from the Queen today - after cheering on a Spitfire flypast to celebrate raising £30million for the NHS.

The World War Two veteran - promoted from Captain to Honorary Colonel by military top brass - cheered as the vintage RAF planes flew over his home in Bedfordshire at 8.20am this morning.

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Captain Tom - who has touched the nation's heart with his sponsored walk around his garden in aid of the health service - has received more than 150,000 birthday cards from wellwishers around the world.

And among the messages was a telegram from Her Majesty.

The veteran today said: "Reaching 100 is quite something."

The RAF planes completed three laps of his home in Marston Moretaine, Beds, and he celebrated with his family as they flew above him.

Exactly one hour after the flypast, the hero's total for walking 100 laps of his garden to raise money for the NHS hit £30million while he was on the Chris Evans show.

QUEEN TELEGRAM

He received a personalised telegram from the Queen who sent her congratulations to him for his huge fundraising effort.

She wrote: "I am so pleased to know that you are celebrating your one hundredth birthday.

"I was also most interested to hear of your recent fundraising efforts for NHS Charities Together at this difficult time.

"I send my congratulations and best wishes to you on such a special occasion."

I'm still Captain Tom, that's who I really am - but if people choose to call me Colonel, well, thank you very much.

Captain Tom Moore

Prime Minister Boris Johnson also called him a ";point of light in our lives" in a special happy birthday video message and Captain Tom congratulated him on the birth of his son.

After inspiring a nation, Captain Tom was promoted as the first Honorary Colonel for the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorks.

This means if he is performing official duties - such as handing out medals - he will referred to as "Colonel".

"POINT OF LIGHT"

He said: "To get that honorary rank in my regiment is something I never thought I would anticipate and I never would have imagined that. And if people called me Colonel, well, that would be great wouldn't it.

"I'm still Captain Tom, that's who I really am - but if people choose to call me Colonel, well, thank you very much."

He today dictated a message to his grandson Benjie where he said the "huge generosity from the public has been overwhelming".

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The hero fundraiser said: "Reaching 100 is quite something.

"Reaching 100 with such interest in me and huge generosity from the public is very overwhelming.

"People keep saying what I have done is remarkable, however it’s actually what you have done for me which is remarkable.

"I felt a little frustrated and disappointed after I broke my hip and it knocked my confidence. However, the past three weeks have put a spring back in my step.

"I have renewed purpose and have thoroughly enjoyed every second of this exciting adventure, but I can’t keep walking forever.

People keep saying what I have done is remarkable, however it’s actually what you have done for me which is remarkable

Captain Tom Moore

"The donations page will close at midnight this evening. NHS Charities Together still have their urgent appeal, so people can donate to them that way.

"I am going to spend my birthday with my family, both here in person and with my daughter remotely, and then I am going to have a few days’ rest.

"My legs may be tired, but my mind is racing and I’m hoping to be back very soon with other ways in which I can help people, help others.

"Please always remember, Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day. With my sincerest gratitude, Captain Tom Moore."

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Mr Johnson praised the hero saying: "Your heroic efforts have lifted the spirits of the entire nation.

"You've created a channel to enable millions to say a heartfelt thank you to the remarkable men and women in our NHS who are doing the most astounding job.

"There is a tradition going back some years now where the Prime Minister takes a moment each day to thank someone for their service to others.

"By recognising them as a point of light. Captain Tom, that is exactly what you are - a point of light in all our lives. So, on behalf of the whole country, thank you, and have a very special 100th birthday."

Singer Michael Ball, who along with Captain Tom, reached number one in the charts with a cover of You'll Never Walk Alone, sang Happy Birthday to him live on air.

Your heroic efforts have lifted the spirits of the entire nation

Boris Johnson

The huge cricket fan was then made an honorary member of the England cricket team.

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan said Captain Tom has been "the nation's heartbeat for the last two or three weeks".

He told the veteran: "You've done so much for the country, you've raised so much money for the NHS.

"And now I can officially call you an honorary member of the England cricket team."

Captain Tom said: "It's marvellous, isn't it?"

Speaking about turning 100, he added: "It hardly feels any different to yesterday. I don't know what you're meant to feel like when you get to 100.

"I've never been 100 before, so I really can't tell you what difference there is from yesterday, today or maybe tomorrow."

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