He's number one: UK's Captain Tom, 99, add hits single to fundraising record

 

FILE PHOTO: Retired British Army Captain Tom Moore, 99, walks to raise money for health workers, by attempting to walk the length of his garden one hundred times before his 100th birthday this month as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Marston Moretaine, Britain, April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

 

(Reuters) - Coronavirus charity walk hero Captain Tom Moore became the oldest person to top Britain's main music chart and also added a world fundraising record to his accolades on Friday, just days shy of his 100th birthday.

 

The World War Two veteran took the Guinness World Record title for the most money raised by an individual through a walk. As of Friday afternoon he had collected more than £28.6 million ($35.2 million) for the National Health Service (NHS) by completing laps of his garden.

 

He also went to number one - with a little help from a friend.

 

The cover version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" that he appears on with singer Michael Ball was on course to be pipped by The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights, until the Canadian star asked his fans on Twitter to support Moore's record instead.

 

"What wonderful news to receive today, a No.1 single and a record breaker too – my grandchildren can’t believe I am a chart-topper," the 99-year-old - who turns 100 on April 30 - told BBC Radio 1's Scott Mills.

 

Moore, who has used a walking frame with wheels since breaking his hip, had originally hoped to raise just £1,000. But he shot past that as media attention from around the globe zoomed in on his home in Bedfordshire, central England.

 

Moore, who turns 100 said he felt honoured to receive the awards.

 

"My charity walk has raised more money than I could have possibly imagined and I am so thankful to those who have donated money ... for our incredible NHS during these difficult times."

 

"These really are Guinness World Records titles for all of us," he added.

 

Moore's fundraising walk broke a 40-year-old record previously held by Canadian athlete Terry Fox.

 

Fox, who lost a leg to cancer when he was a teenager, set off on a cross-Canada run in 1980 by dipping his prosthetic limb into the Atlantic Ocean with the aim of getting all the way to the Pacific.

 

After 5,376km (3,341 miles) the cancer had spread to his lungs and forced him to stop near Thunder Bay, Ontario, on Sept. 1, 1980. He died less than a year later aged 22.

 

Guinness World Records said Fox collected C$14.7 million - worth £5.4 million at the time and £27,201,900 today, adjusted for inflation. A subsequent telethon raised a further C$10 million in his honour, the organisation added.

 

(Writing by Andrew Heavens and John Stonestreet, Editing by Angus MacSwan and Chizu Nomiyama)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-04-25

 

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The radio played Captain Tom and Michael Ball performing You'll never walk alone and I imagine that people who have been stuck on their settees on lockdown, or even wheelchair bound, were inspired to get up and walk.

 

 

..Just enough to switch the  <deleted>  racket off.....................

Well done that man. A real hero and not like these celebs who does things for their own advancement. I listened to his interviews.

 

He is articulate, genuine and down to earth. If only we had more like him.

1 minute ago, sanuk711 said:

The radio played Captain Tom and Michael Ball performing You'll never walk alone and I imagine that people who have been stuck on their settees on lockdown, or even wheelchair bound, were inspired to get up and walk.

 

 

..Just enough to switch the  <deleted>  racket off.....................

Dear, oh dear, oh dear......................Having beer withdrawal symptoms are we....????

Easy to be cynical but it raises spirits. so no harm done. and is a vehicle for ordinary Brits to say thank you to the superb NHS.  ????

The man's a legend. Great choice of song ????

28 minutes ago, Phuketshrew said:

The man's a legend. Great choice of song ????

and (song) be 'Promoted' so widely, he becomes Major Tom

 

Hear he's going to do a cover of 'Stairway to Heaven' next.

I guess he's knocked 'Katie Price's life in Lockdown', off the tv 

4 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Hear he's going to do a cover of 'Stairway to Heaven' next.

That's the best one-liner of the year so far ????

4 hours ago, tifino said:

and (song) be 'Promoted' so widely, he becomes Major Tom

 

Backdated to the day he retired from regular service.

6 hours ago, sanuk711 said:

The radio played Captain Tom and Michael Ball performing You'll never walk alone and I imagine that people who have been stuck on their settees on lockdown, or even wheelchair bound, were inspired to get up and walk.

 

 

..Just enough to switch the  <deleted>  racket off.....................

(His middle gong is the Burma Star. We might not be here if it wasn't for him & all the others that earned it!)

Edited April 25, 20206 yr by evadgib

Reported post removed.

 

Brexit has NO PLACE HERE !

Well done sir. And as an army man, I don't doubt he will accept any jokes and ribald humour as being true British humour in times of adversity. I salute you.

I admire the guy, its amazing, wonderfull ! Amazing so many people willing then to give!

It's only sad, as there are other people controlling that money and rip off the cash for own gain.

How much will be there effective working for the purpose?

It is with every collection of money, flies will come to that pile to rip.

And when the money is gone, they hope on another world disaster happens, go there as fly and rip again.

2 hours ago, xtrnuno41 said:

I admire the guy, its amazing, wonderfull ! Amazing so many people willing then to give!

It's only sad, as there are other people controlling that money and rip off the cash for own gain.

How much will be there effective working for the purpose?

It is with every collection of money, flies will come to that pile to rip.

And when the money is gone, they hope on another world disaster happens, go there as fly and rip again.

You are one sad puppy.

I wonder if that fat <deleted> Ball will contribute

18 hours ago, treetops said:

You are one sad puppy.

Take another shot of cocaine, then you stay high

Well done the Duke of Boots...

Ground control to captain Tom test ignition and may god's love be with you ????

On 4/25/2020 at 2:37 PM, evadgib said:

(His middle gong is the Burma Star. We might not be here if it wasn't for him & all the others that earned it!)

When you compare this gentleman's real medals to the muppets trying to run this country, it gives you perspective.

 

It certainly doesn't seem to embarrass the 'soldiers' and 'generals' & police officers here. Think of all the 'conflicts' these wannabe generals have been in. ????

Unsubstantiated slur and response removed.

On 4/25/2020 at 6:38 PM, xtrnuno41 said:

I admire the guy, its amazing, wonderfull ! Amazing so many people willing then to give!

It's only sad, as there are other people controlling that money and rip off the cash for own gain.

How much will be there effective working for the purpose?

It is with every collection of money, flies will come to that pile to rip.

And when the money is gone, they hope on another world disaster happens, go there as fly and rip again.

You know, he is not in Thailand, right?!

 

Long may he walk on!

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