BRITISH World War Two veteran Captain Tom Moore, who has become a national hero after raising almost £30 million for the NHS, celebrates his 100th birthday on Thursday (30) with an honorary promotion and two military flypasts.
Moore has raised £29.4 million for charities that help front-line NHS staff by completing laps of his garden with the help of a walking frame, having initially set out to raise just £1,000.
He now holds the Guinness World Record title for the most money raised by an individual through a walk, and has also since also become the oldest person to notch up a number one single in Britain’s main music chart, featuring on a cover version of 'You’ll Never Walk Alone'.
His endeavours have won the hearts and admiration of the public at home and across the world. Boris Johnson, on his return to work on Monday after recovering from Covid-19, called upon Britons to show the same resolve as the veteran soldier to help defeat the virus.
In a recorded a special message for Moore, the prime minister said: "I know I speak for the whole country when I say we wish you a very happy 100th birthday. Your heroic efforts have lifted the spirits of an entire nation."
Johnson added that Moore was a "point of light in all our lives".
In a fitting tribute, historic World War Two aircraft carried out a flypast above "Colonel" Moore's home in Bedfordshire, central England, early on Thursday with a second fly over by modern Royal Air Force helicopters due later.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who stood in for Johnson in Parliament on Wednesday after the prime minister's fiancee gave birth to their son, said all lawmakers would want to wish him a happy birthday.
"His life of service for his country, his dedication to helping others is an inspiration to us all," Raab said.
To celebrate his landmark, Moore has been appointed the first Honorary Colonel of the Army Foundation College, based near the town where he grew up, a position that came with the approval of Queen Elizabeth, the defence ministry said.
Moore, who said he was still "Captain tom", added that he was honoured by his promotion and all the kind messages he had received.
"If people choose to call me colonel, well, thank you very much," he told BBC TV with a chuckle. The veteran, who served in southeast Asia during the war, waved at the vintage fighter planes as they flew over his home.
Moore was also be re-presented with his World War Two Defence Medal which he had lost.
"During these unprecedented times he has reminded us all hardship is easier endured when we place the needs of others above our own, and approach everything with a smile," said Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
Tributes have been flooding in for Moore since he started his fundraising mission earlier this month. Since Monday, Britain's Royal Mail said all stamped post would feature a special postmark in his honor while more than 125,000 birthday cards have been sent to him by well-wishers.
"I never, ever anticipated ever in my life anything like this, it really is amazing. I must say ... thank you very much to everyone, wherever you are," Moore said.
The royal family, too, joined the chorus of praise for the veteran.
"It's incredible, it's amazing," said Prince William, the queen's grandson. "It's wonderful that everyone is being inspired by his story, his determination ... he's a one-man fundraising machine."
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