Captain Tom’s joy at news of knighthood
West Yorkshire’s own Captain Tom Moore said he was “overawed” to learn that he will be knighted after raising almost £33m for the NHS by walking laps of his garden.
The 100-year-old fundraiser, who served with Halifax’s very own Duke of Wellington’s Regiment and is a member of its Regimental Association, set out to raise £1,000 by walking 100 laps before his milestone birthday on April 30.
The Second World War veteran completed the laps ahead of time and his determination captured the public imagination.
Almost £33m was donated to his JustGiving page before handed with the sword as by then I might be rather a poor old weak soul”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Sir Tom “provided us all with a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus”.
He recommended Sir Tom be exceptionally honoured by the Queen, who has approved the honour, Downing Street said. An investiture ceremony will take place at a later date, and his official title will be Captain Sir Thomas Moore. Sir Tom said he walked the laps of his garden in the village of Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire “with pleasure because, as it got on and on, the funds got better and better”. He said: “It was absolutely, totally amazing because not only was it in this country, but it seemed to go throughout the world. It seemed to have raised the spirits of so many different countries, which was absolutely amazing and to me it was delightful.”
Addressing the public, he said: “Thank you very much to all of you. You have been so generous and the cause has been such a good one.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart, you have been absolutely outstanding.”
‘I really do thank you from the bottom of my heart’...