He has lifted the spirits of the nation with his £39million fundraising effort to celebrate turning 100. Now Colonel Tom Moore – who has...
He has lifted the spirits of the nation with his £39million fundraising effort to celebrate turning 100.
Now Colonel Tom Moore – who has already been promoted from captain – is to be recognised further with a knighthood, it was revealed last night.
The Second World War veteran received a special nomination from the Prime Minister, which is to become the first of dozens of coronavirus crisis gongs.
Boris Johnson described him as a national treasure and said he had provided a 'beacon of light' through the Covid-19 crisis.
Now Colonel Tom Moore – who has already been promoted from captain – is to be recognised further with a knighthood
Captain Tom pictured during the war. Boris Johnson described him as a national treasure and said he had provided a 'beacon of light' through the Covid-19 crisis
Sir Tom has raised a remarkable £32.8million for NHS charities by walking more than 100 laps of his garden on his wheeled frame before his 100th birthday last month. The figure went up £39million with Gift Aid.
His honour, which has been approved by the Queen, will formally be announced today. Last night Sir Tom said: 'I am absolutely overwhelmed.
'Never for one moment could I have imagined to be awarded with such a great honour. I'd like to thank Her Majesty the Queen, the Prime Minister and the great British public. I will remain at your service. This started as something small and I've been overwhelmed by the gratitude and love from the British public and beyond.
'We must take this opportunity to recognise our frontline heroes of the National Health Service who put their lives at risk everyday to keep us safe.'
The Government says other 'unsung heroes' who have been fighting coronavirus will also be honoured in the coming months.
A special honours list is to be released in the autumn to recognise all those who have distinguished themselves during the crisis, according to The Sun.
The Prime Minister recommended Sir Tom be exceptionally honoured for his fundraising achievements, No 10 said.
Mr Johnson said: 'Colonel Tom's fantastic fundraising broke records, inspired the whole country and provided us all with a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus.
'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.'
Further plans on how frontline heroes will be honoured will be set out in the coming months, an official statement said.
Details will be given on 'how the public will be able to play their part'.
A Government spokesman said: 'We know there is huge appetite to say thank you to all those supporting the nation during this emergency and doing incredible things day in, day out, up and down the country.
'We will ensure these unsung heroes are recognised in the right way, at the right time.'
Sir Tom, who lives with his younger daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore (both pictured), her husband and their two children in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, began his JustGiving page with the aim of raising £1,000 for NHS workers by walking 100 laps of the family's garden before his 100th birthday
A Spitfire and Hurricane soared over his home in a flypast organised by the RAF, while a sea of birthday cards – 140,000 sent from all over the world, some with gifts – went on display at his grandson Benjie's school in Bedford (pictured)
Captain Tom Moore is pictured on his wedding day with wife Pamela, her mother Katie and his father Wilfred, 1968
Sir Tom, who lives with his younger daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, her husband and their two children in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, began his JustGiving page with the aim of raising £1,000 for NHS workers by walking 100 laps of the family's garden before his 100th birthday.
Yesterday the sum raised for NHS Charities Together stood at nearly £33million.
His 100th birthday on April 30 was marked with several accolades. The former soldier in 145th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps was made an honorary colonel by the Queen and an honorary member of the England cricket team.
He was also awarded the Freedom of the City of London.
A Spitfire and Hurricane soared over his home in a flypast organised by the RAF, while a sea of birthday cards – 140,000 sent from all over the world, some with gifts – went on display at his grandson Benjie's school in Bedford.
Sir Tom, whose wife Pamela died in 2006 after 38 years of marriage, also released a charity single, You'll Never Walk Alone, with singer Michael Ball. It quickly topped the charts, making him the oldest artist ever to have a UK No 1.
Tom Moore, with (left to right) grandson Benji, daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and granddaughter Georgia, at his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire
Second World War veteran and NHS fundraiser Tom Moore is to be knighted, Downing Street has announced
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