April 2020. The second world war veteran Capt Tom Moore, who has raised £30m for the NHS, has said he is overwhelmed and grateful for the outpouring of support from the public on his 100th birthday. Moore, who was appointed an honorary colonel to mark his 100th birthday on Thursday, received more than 125,000 cards, as well as a personalised message from the Queen. He will be celebrating the day with his family, both in person and remotely.
“Reaching 100 is quite something. Reaching 100 with such interest in me and huge generosity from the public is very overwhelming,” Moore said. “People keep saying what I have done is remarkable. However it’s actually what you have done for me which is remarkable.” Moore was first thrust into the spotlight following a pledge to walk the length of his 25 metre garden 100 times before his birthday to raise money for NHS charities. The centenarian originally set out to raise £1,000, but donations wildly exceeded that. He completed his efforts in the middle of the month, surrounded by a guard of honour.