Piers Morgan celebrates as war hero he gave £10,000 to smashes half-million fundraising target hours after going on GMB

PIERS Morgan led celebrations today after 99-year-old war veteran Captain Tom Moore smashed his huge fundraising target - hours after the TV star donated £10,000 of his own money.

The WWII hero had been marching up and down his garden hoping to raise half a million pounds for the NHS but was nearly £200,000 short before his appearance today.

A surge in donations saw thousands of well-wishers pile into the campaign, giving as little as a fiver each to topple the ambitious target.

Captain Tom tweeted: "Thank you so so SO much. £500,000 raised for the @NHSCharities. Everybody is just amazing!!"

Piers paid tribute to the campaign - and his rivals on BBC Breakfast who also featured the story - posting: "BOOM! Fantastic news, and great to see @GMB & @BBCBreakfast teaming up to help Captain Tom reach his target. What a great guy."

The veteran is aiming to complete 100 lengths of his garden - which is 25 metres long - before he turns 100 at the end of the month.

Earlier today, GMB viewers saw Piers make his own donation, promising to give £10,000 of his own money to help hit the half-million milestone.

The 55-year-old host said: “Captain Tom Moore, thank you for serving your country. I’m so glad that we were able, through the brilliant NHS, to serve you back and keep you going.

“Good luck – I want to get you over the line today. Here’s what I’m going to do, Tom, I’m going to put £10,000 of my own money into your fundraising today and I hope that encourages everyone watching at home to do the same.

“Little or small, whatever you can do. Let’s get you over the half a million. You’ve got 10 grand from me.”

Many viewers were bowled over, with one tweeting: "Well done @piersmorgan, what an amazing gesture! 👏🏽.”

•  Tom is walking for the NHS and donations can be still be made on .