99-year-old war veteran raises millions for healthcare workers
A 99-year-old war veteran has raised nearly more than 4 million pounds ($AUD 8.05 million) for British healthcare workers by attempting to walk the length of his garden one hundred times before his 100th birthday later this month.
Captain Tom Moore has used a walking frame to move around since breaking his hip and said that he was incredibly grateful to the National Health Service (NHS) for the treatment he received.
He wanted to do something in return to say thank you, and the aim is to do 10 laps a day before the end of the month.
Britain’s state-funded NHS is under intense strain as it treats large numbers of people suffering from COVID-19.
Moore turns 100 on April 30 and had hoped to raise 500,000 pounds. He has since quadrupled that figure and more already thanks to the generosity of 205,326 supporters.
99 year old Captain Tom Moore @captaintommoore is celebrating his birthday by walking 100 lengths of his garden for @NHSCharities
So far he has raised £3,676,361.91 ⬆️735% !
You can support him here: https://t.co/mmZMpHJpsl pic.twitter.com/hsE3ZvTMNT— Bev Matthews RN ↔️ 🧍🏼♂️↔️🧍🏼↔️🧍🏽♀️↔️🧍🏿 (@BevMatthewsRN) April 14, 2020
NHS Charities Together, who will benefit from the funds, said that it was “truly inspired and humbled”.
Ellie Orton, chief executive of the charity, had nothing but praise for Tom Moore.
"I think I absolutely join the rest of the country in being truly inspired and profoundly humbled by Captain Tom and what he has achieved.
"Thank you for being an inspiration and a role model."
Moore couldn’t believe his eyes as funds went over the 4 million pound mark and said that it was “almost unbelievable”.
WOW - 4 million pound for our NHS!
We cannot wait to tell the news to Tom in the morning, he will not believe his ears!
Thanks each and every one of you - we are in awe of you, but especially our frontline staff who need this now more than ever. #TomorrowWillBeAGoodDay— Captain Tom Moore (@captaintommoore) April 14, 2020
"When you think of who it is all for - all those brave and super doctors and nurses we have got - I think they deserve every penny, and I hope we get some more for them too,” he said to the BBC.
The veteran who served in Asia during World War II had a message of hope.
"That's the way I think I've always looked at things: tomorrow will be a good day," he said.
Photo credits: Just Giving