Captain Tom Moore raises whopping £32 million for NHS coronavirus fight as fund closes after his 100th birthday
CAPTAIN Tom Moore has raised a whopping £32 million for the NHS as his fundraiser closed following his 100th birthday.
The final total raised was £32,794,071 after he captured the nation's hearts by vowing to walk 100 laps of his garden to raise money for the NHS's fight against coronavirus.
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It comes after he received a 100th birthday message from the Queen yesterday - after cheering on a Spitfire flypast to celebrate his fundraising efforts.
Ahead of the fundraiser closing in the early hours of this morning, he had tweeted: "What a wonderful day full of well wishes, kindness and plenty of cake!
"Can't think of a better way to finish than clapping extra loudly for all the @NHSuk heroes who continue to do such a magnificent job for us all."
He also congratulated Boris Johnson's partner Carrie Symonds on their new baby after she sent him a happy birthday message.
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 yesterday morning.
Captain Tom - who has touched the nation's hearts with his sponsored walk around his garden in aid of the health service - received more than 150,000 birthday cards from well-wishers around the world.
And among the messages was a telegram from Her Majesty.
The veteran 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".
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
"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."
