Queen Promotes Captain Tom Moore in Heartwarming Honour as the £29m Fundraising Hero Turns 100
Captain Tom Moore has been promoted to Honorary Colonel by the Queen to mark his 100th birthday yesterday after the World War II veteran captured the hearts of the nation by raising £29 million (FJ$80.61m) for the NHS by doing laps of his garden.
The promotion comes alongside a personal letter from Her Majesty and the new Colonel has also been re-presented with his Second World War Defence Medal ahead of next week’s VE Day celebrations.
And, along with the usual cake and champagne, there were two flypasts to mark his big day – by Army Air Corps helicopters as well as a Spitfire and Hurricane in the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
As well-wishers across the globe sent cards in their thousands, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace paid tribute to Colonel Tom, saying he not only embodies ‘the spirit of our incredible veteran community but also the resolve of this nation’. General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, Chief of the General Staff, made the appointment, making the veteran the first Honorary Colonel of the Army Foundation College, Harrogate, which trains 16 and 17-year-old soldiers.
An inspirational role model
He will be an “inspirational role model to generations young and old,” Sir Mark said.
The veteran, who completed a sponsored walk of his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire to raise millions for the NHS through JustGiving, was informed of the promotion in a letter presented by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Miller, of the 1st Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment, which also awarded him the prestigious annual Regimental Medal.
Train named after him
As well as congratulations from Prince Charles and Camilla, who said he makes her ‘proud to be British’, the veteran has also had a train named after him – The Captain Tom Moore – which started service with the new name on his birthday, Great Western Railway said.
To celebrate his birthday, Virgin Radio presenter Chris Evans also sent Colonel Tom a London 2012 Olympic torch - believed to be the only one in existence that can still be lit - which the delighted veteran attempted to blow out.
Colonel Tom, who is celebrating with family at home in Bedfordshire, thanked the public on the eve of his birthday, adding: “It is quite extraordinary I am turning 100. It is even more extraordinary I am doing so with this many well-wishers... Tomorrow will be a good day.”
Earlier, his family said he had been left ‘completely overwhelmed’ after receiving hundreds of thousands of cards from around the globe to mark his 100th birthday.
Colonel Tom had set out at the start of this month to raise £1000 (FJ$ 2778.55) for National Health Service (NHS) Communities - but a surge of support saw him smash his target.
After passing his initial goal in less than 24 hours, donations continued to pour in and the total surged to more than £29million (FJ$80.61m).