The fundraising of Captain Tom Moore has been recognised on his 100th birthday with a special military move. Captain Moore has been made an Honorary Colonel by the Queen to celebrate his centenary.
The man who has captured imaginations around the world has been made the first Honorary Colonel of the Army Foundation College as he turns 100. The college is based in Harrogate in Yorkshire, the county of his birth.
However, he’s not planning on changing his name. He told BBC Breakfast that ”I think, well, I’m still Captain Tom…but if people choose to call me Colonel, well thank you very much!”
Tom Moore has also received a special telegram from the Queen to mark his birthday while the Royal Mail has been franking letters posted this week with a message marking his centenary.
The new colonel sprang to fame when he decided to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday to raise £1,000 for the NHS. His efforts won fans around the world and so far, he has brought in over £30 million for his campaign. His efforts have been boosted by a charity version of ‘We’ll Meet Again’ which he recorded with singer, Michael Ball. It topped the charts meaning that Tom Moore is the first centenarian ever to have a Number One in the UK.
Celebrations for his 100th birthday included a flypast by two Spitfires which circled above his home in Bedfordshire. Another flypast, including an Apache Attack Helicopter, will take place this afternoon.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, also spent a special message praising Captain Tom. The lifelong cricket fan has also been made an honorary member of the England team.
Thomas Moore was born in Yorkshire on April 30th 1920 and joined the Army as World War Two got under way. He served with the 8th Battalion The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in India and the Far East before working at the Army base at Bovington after the conflict ended. He began his walk earlier in April to support his local NHS.