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'We will get through it,' says Captain Tom, 99, after £13 million coronavirus walk

Published 16/04/2020, 07:13
Updated 16/04/2020, 12:32
© Reuters. Retired British Army Captain Moore walks to raise money for health workers

© Reuters. Retired British Army Captain Moore walks to raise money for health workers

By Paul Sandle

LONDON (Reuters) - Tom Moore, a 99-year-old British war veteran, completed the last of 100 laps of his garden on Thursday, raising 13 million pounds for the health service in an endeavour that has spread joy across the country amid the coronavirus gloom.

"For all those people who are finding it difficult at the moment: the sun will shine on you again and the clouds will go away," said Moore, dressed in a blazer and tie and displaying his war medals, after completing his walk.

The retired army captain, who has used a walking frame with wheels since breaking his hip, set himself the target of walking the 25 metres around his garden 100 times before his 100th birthday on April 30.

He completed his challenge to praise from around the country and beyond - and a salute from soldiers in the regiment which replaced his own.

Raised in Yorkshire, northern England, Moore served in India, Burma and Sumatra during World War Two.

He said the walk was inspired by the care he received from Britain's state-run health service when he broke his hip and when he was treated for cancer.

His original target was 1,000 pounds.

But that modest aim was blown away as media attention from around the globe zoomed in on his garden in Bedfordshire, central England.

The story has lifted the hearts of a nation in lockdown, weary of relentless waves of grim news.

It has also embodied an outpouring of gratitude for Britain's doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers on the front line in the fight against the pandemic.

So far, nearly 13,000 people with COVID-19 have died in British hospitals, the fifth-highest total globally. Twenty-seven were health workers, Health Minister Matt Hancock said.

Moore's achievement was a "shaft of light" in the darkness of the COVID-19 crisis, he said. "Captain Tom, what an inspiration to us all."

Moore said the 13 million pounds was an "absolutely fantastic sum of money".

"It's unbelievable that people would be so kind to give that sort of money to the National Health Service," he said.

Moore received a guard of honour from soldiers from the First Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment, the successor to his Duke of Wellington's regiment, as he completed his final lap.

Afterwards he received messages of congratulation from figures from sport, politics and entertainment.

Ben Stokes, England's leading cricketer, said he hoped he would be moving as well as Moore when he was 50 let alone 100, while finance minister Rishi Sunak praised his "Yorkshire grit".

Moore, however, remained focused on the sacrifices made by health service workers and the efforts of his fellow Britons, who have been locked down since March 23.

"You've all got to remember that we will get through it in the end, it will all be right, it might take time," Moore said. "At the end of the day we shall all be okay again."

Moore's family said they had fielded interest from as far afield as the United States, France and Australia.

Son-in-law Colin Ingram said raising money for the health service had given Moore a new lease of life.

© Reuters. Troops form Guard of Honour as Capt Tom Moore completes fundraising walk in Bedfordshire

"He's coming down in the morning sprightly and loving it," Ingram told Reuters on Wednesday.

Latest comments

The youth of Britain can learn a thing or two from this great man. Discipline, courage and hardwork were once the hallmark of the British worker and there was no dependency on foreign labour or goods from abroad.
Legend
you are a legend sir , thanks for boosting the morale of people :).
What an inspiring man and not forgetting all who donated, as we love our NHS. Britain truly comes together during difficult times. 🏅🌍🌎🌏😍🙏🏼
He still possess the spirit of a true warrior. It is news like these that can help lift the spirit of any individual and even perhaps an entire nation to keep fighting
There is absolutely no doubt that Tom’s positive attitude to life has kept him alive this far.. Wishing him many more years in excellent health and sound mind. Thank you for teaching us all the more excellent way.. 🙏
What an absolute legend....
I firstly and foremostly salute your invincible courage Sir 🙏The message you have sent is really really need of the day. I wish you long long life.
Legend. What a highlight of life at 99 years of age
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