Captain Tom Moore has been awarded a knighthood after raising £32 million for the NHS

Captain Tom Moore is to be given a knighthood for his fundraising efforts, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave him a special nomination (Photo: Getty/Capture the Light Photography)Captain Tom Moore is to be given a knighthood for his fundraising efforts, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave him a special nomination (Photo: Getty/Capture the Light Photography)
Captain Tom Moore is to be given a knighthood for his fundraising efforts, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave him a special nomination (Photo: Getty/Capture the Light Photography)

Captain Tom Moore is to be given a knighthood for his fundraising efforts, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave him a special nomination.

The 100 year old war veteran raised over £32 million for NHS charities during the ongoing coronavirus crisis, after setting out on a family challenge to complete 100 laps of the 25 metre loop in his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, before his 100th birthday at the end of April.

Captain Sir Thomas Moore

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Captain Tom was given the honorary title of a Colonel by the Queen, to mark his 100th birthday on 30 April. He was informed of his promotion to honorary colonel in a letter presented to him at his home by Lt Col Thomas Miller, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.

However, the knighthood, which has been approved by the Queen, will give the war veteran the official title of Captain Sir Thomas Moore under Ministry of Defence protocol.

Boris Johnson said Captain Tom had given the country "a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus".

In a statement, Mr Johnson said Capt Tom's "fantastic fundraising broke records" and "inspired the whole country".

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The prime minister added, "On behalf of everyone who has been moved by his incredible story, I want to say a huge thank you. He's a true national treasure.”

Labour Party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, also congratulated Capt Tom. He said he had "brought inspiration to millions and helped all of us to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our NHS".

"In his actions, Tom embodied the national solidarity which has grown throughout this crisis, and showed us that everyone can play their part in helping build a better future,” added Starmer.

Raising millions

Capt Tom had initially set out to raise £1,000 for the NHS, but he ended up raising £32,794,701, donated by more than one and a half million supporters.