Arise, Sir Tom: UK awards knighthood to war veteran ‘Captain Tom’ for raising millions for British National Health Service
- The British Prime Minister announced that the 100-year-old would be given the honour after he raised £32.8 million during the coronavirus lockdown
The British government on Tuesday announced a knighthood for World War II veteran Tom Moore, who became a national hero by raising huge sums for health care charities during the coronavirus outbreak.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson nominated 100-year-old “Captain Tom” for the honour after he raised almost £32.8 million (US$40.2 million) by walking around his garden.
Moore set himself the goal of doing 100 laps of the 25m garden before his 100th birthday last month, hoping to raise £1,000 for health care charities.
But the money started pouring in after his effort drew national and then international interest, a rare good news story in the midst of a bleak global pandemic.
Royal Air Force jets performed a fly-past for his birthday and 140,000 people sent cards, while the army made Moore, who served as an engineer in India and Myanmar, an honorary Colonel.