Birthday tributes flood in for fund-raising British veteran 'Captain Tom'

 

Birthday cards are seen on display at Bedford School ahead of Captain Tom Moore's 100th birthday on Thursday, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Bedford, Britain, April 28, 2020 REUTERS/Matthew Childs

 

BEDFORD, England (Reuters) - British World War Two veteran Captain Tom Moore is in for a very special 100th birthday on Thursday after well-wishers from around the world repaid his record-breaking fundraising efforts by sending tens of thousands of birthday cards.

 

Moore has raised more than 29 million pounds ($36 million) for the National Health Service by completing laps of his garden with the help of a walking frame.

 

People tuned in from across the globe to watch his progress online, turning Moore into an unexpected focal point for a flood of donations to the state-funded healthcare system which is handling the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

 

Since completing his 100 laps - breaking both his initial 1,000 pound target and then the Guinness world record for a charity walk - Moore has received over 125,000 birthday cards.

 

"It's the most amazing outpouring of love for a great man," said James Hodgson, headmaster of the nearby Bedford School in central England, which has taken on the mammoth task of opening and displaying the cards.

 

The floor of the school hall has been transformed into a sea of goodwill messages, carefully curated by volunteers who have spent hours reading them over the last week.

 

"We've had cards from all around the world, not just the UK ... we've had cards from two year olds and we've had cards from 92 year olds," Hodgson said.

 

Even as more arrive every day, Hodgson said the plan was to display as many as possible and send Moore a photograph of the results.

 

One hand-drawn card from 11-year old Rebekah in South Wales read: "To My Hero! Thank you for all you have done. You will help a lot of people with the money you have raised xx"

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-04-29

 

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Happy birthday sir thank you for your service and contributions hopefully you will be walking 101 times around the garden next year!

Happy Birthday Capt Tom, touched the hearts of thousands, more likely millions. Certainly made me smile watching some of his interviews.

 

Lets keep this a happy thread ???? !

"Ground Control to Major Tom".. Happy Birthday Sir. 

 

I understand that he's now Colonel Tom having been made a honorary colonel by Her Majesty.

Congratulations on all your achievements! 

Long may you walk, sir!

How nice a story is this ! ???? I salute you mate. I wish I had a few grams of what you have as a man. How about the kids arranging all those cards like that too ... share the love

As per 5# above he has been made an Honorary Colonel by Her Majesty in recognition of his achievement which was just shy of 30 mill' about an hour ago .. 

Fly past over his manor by a WW2 Spitfire and Hurricane abit earlier .. 

When asked about the flypast he said " The first time I seen Spitfires was in the War when they flew in anger .. today they flew in peace " ..

What a top chap ???? .. 

 

If they are going to Knight the Colonel, and they should, why are they taking so long about it?  Its not that he has time on his hands is it.  Get on with it politicos.  

1 hour ago, Pilotman said:

If they are going to Knight the Colonel, and they should, why are they taking so long about it?  Its not that he has time on his hands is it.  Get on with it politicos.  

HM only does it twice per year. I can see him being honoured in the Birthday list in June (& i'd like to see him pick it up on VJ day, given he served in Burma/Far East).

2 minutes ago, evadgib said:

HM only does it twice per year. I can see him being honoured in the Birthday list in June (& i'd like to see him pick it up on VJ day, given he served in Burma/Far East).

That's just protocol BS, they could do it now if they really wanted to, he may well not be around in June, although I hope that he is.  Every day, every hour is precious to this chap.  

Just now, Pilotman said:

That's just protocol BS, they could do it now if they really wanted to, he may well not be around in June, although I hope that he is.  Every day, every hour is precious to this chap.  

I assumed you realize I knew all that ????

 

(& I'd like to see Dame Vera's record back at no 1 in time for VE day too)

1 minute ago, evadgib said:

I assumed you realize I knew all that ????

 

(& I'd like to see Dame Vera's record back at no 1 in time for VE day too)

I did, it was for the benefit of others if 'benefit' is the right word to use.    

This is the woman who started the ball rolling at ITV Anglia 3 weeks ago.

Forces TV:

 

Need a 'love' feature on this forum sometimes.

 

 

7 hours ago, sungod said:

Need a 'love' feature on this forum sometimes.

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