Tom Moore became a global inspiration when he raised 33 million pounds for the UK National Health Service.
After becoming a national hero in Britain for his world record fundraising efforts, topping the UK music charts and being appointed an honorary colonel, 100-year-old war veteran Captain Tom Moore — soon to be known as Sir Tom — is about to become a knight.
Key points:
- Tom Moore was made an honorary colonel and an honorary member of the England cricket team
- Queen Elizabeth II approved a special nomination for knighthood from Prime Minister Boris Johnson
- When he first started, Mr Moore’s goal was to raise 1,000 pounds
Colonel Moore became a global inspiration when he raised 33 million pounds ($61.8 million) for the UK National Health Service (NHS), which is under extreme pressure amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The World War II veteran raised the Guinness World Record sum in the run-up to his 100th birthday by painstakingly completing 100 laps of his garden with the aid of a walking frame.
When he first started, he was a mere retired captain with a goal of raising 1,000 pounds.
But, as he walked, a nation in lockdown became captivated by the veteran’s simple determination and promise that “tomorrow will be a good day”.
Colonel Moore walked the length of his garden 100 times before his 100th birthday as part of his world record breaking fundraiser.
On his 100th birthday last month, he was made an honorary colonel and an honorary member of the England cricket team, and his version of You’ll Never Walk Alone with theatre star Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care Choir hit number one on the UK music charts.
In the latest honour to be bestowed on the humble grandfather, Queen Elizabeth II approved a special nomination for knighthood from Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“Colonel Tom’s fantastic fundraising broke records, inspired the whole country and provided us all with a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus,” Mr Johnson said.
It was not immediately clear how it would be bestowed, as the ongoing lockdown mandated social distancing.
Source: ABC/wires
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