Image by: Simon Galloway
A World War Two veteran who is walking 100 lengths of his back garden before his 100th birthday has raised over a MILLION pounds for the NHS in just one WEEK.
Tom Moore, 99, says the NHS have been “marvellous” in helping him recover from both a hip replacement, and skin cancer on his head, over the last couple of years.
As a way of saying thank you, the former civil engineer has been doing daily laps of his 25-metre long garden, with the aim of walking 100 lengths – or 2,500 metres – by his 100th birthday on April 30.
Tom, who began his walks last Monday (April 6), initially set a fundraising target of £1,000 for NHS Charities Together, only expecting support from his village of Marston Moretaine, Beds.
But after hitting headlines last week, Tom quickly smashed through his target – and has now raised over £1.3million for frontline health workers.
He told the BBC: “I thank the British public from the bottom of my heart.
“Who would have thought that when I set a target of £1,000 a week ago, it could have reached £800,000?”
Tom added: “It’s difficult to imagine all these kind people who have donated so far. It’s just amazing.”
Tom’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, who set up the fundraising page for him, has had to raise his target three times – from £1,000 to £100,000, then to £250,000 and £500,000.
She took to Twitter to say: “We are overwhelmed by the response. It’s extraordinary. We remain proud and humbled by the generosity of the British public.”
Tom was born and raised in Keighley, Yorkshire, where he went to grammar school and later went on to complete an apprenticeship as a Civil Engineer.
He was then enlisted in 145 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps at the beginning of the war, and in 1940 was selected for Officer Training.
After completion, Captain Tom Moore went on to be posted in the 9 DWR in India and served and fought on the Arakan and Burma.
After all overseas duties were said and done, Tom returned to the UK to become an Instructor at The Armoured Fighting Vehicle School in Bovington, Dorset.
To support Tom’s walk, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tomswalkforthenhs.
Image by: Simon Galloway
Tom, whose total now stands at over £1.5million as of Tuesday lunchtime, took to Twitter this morning to write: “Wow, over one million pounds for our beloved NHS!
“I may be walking in my garden to raise money, but this is the British public’s contribution. You are all wonderful – and make Great Britain – GREAT.
“Thanks to everyone – we stand united even during the most testing of times.”
And his daughter, Hannah, added: “£1.5 million – we are speechless, celebrating the news.
“Thank you – and a huge thank you to our NHS at this terribly sad time in the country. We are behind you every step.”
Video by: Hannah Ingram-Moore
Hero Tom Moore was left speechless at the end of yesterday (Tues) as his fundraising total tipped over the £2million mark.
Having started the day on £850,000, he managed to raise more than £1.3 million in just seven hours.
With his fundraising total standing at £2.2 million by 4pm on Tuesday, Tom posted on Twitter: “2 MILLION POUNDS!
“When I started this journey last Monday, my target was £1,000 for our incredible NHS.
“Since this morning, we have raised another £1.3 million pounds.
“No words left… just thank you.”
And in a subsequent Tweet, he added: “Over 100,000 of you have donated to the NHS – I salute you all.
“Thanks for joining me on this mission for our heroes at this very challenging and saddening time in the world. We stand united.”
To support Tom’s fundraising efforts, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tomswalkforthenhs
Video by: Gabriella Petty
