How much has Captain Tom raised to date for the NHS?

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, Captain Tom Moore has been hailed a hero by the British public. But how much has he raised for the NHS so far?

Captain Tom Moore, a war veteran, has gone above and beyond to raise money for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.

Tom, who turns 100 today (Happy Birthday Tom!) pledged to raise £1,000 as a way to thank all NHS staff for their work. In order to raise the money, he set himself a challenge to walk 100 laps of his garden.

But his target has far exceeded that amount in the days and weeks since the beginning of the challenge.

How much has Captain Tom raised to date for the NHS?

The inspirational veteran has now raised over a staggering £30 million for the NHS – £30 ,680, 411 – to be exact, at the time of writing.

Captain Tom has received donations from across the country, including an ‘undisclosed’ sum from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. During an interview with the BBC a few weeks ago, Prince William said, “It’s incredible, I did see him on the news the other night and I thought, ‘good on him.’ It’s amazing.

“What I love also is he’s a 99-year-old war vet, he’s been around a long time, knows everything and it’s wonderful everyone has been inspired by his story and his determination.”

You can still donate to his NHS fundraising efforts here, via his JustGiving page.

Credit: Getty Images

When Tom surpassed the £5 million mark three weeks ago, he expressed his disbelief and gratitude over the soaring total.

He said, “Completely out of this world! Thank you so much to all you people who subscribe to the National Health Service because, for every penny that we get, they deserve every one of it. I think that’s absolutely enormous.

“At no time when we started off with this exercise did we anticipate we’d get anything near that sort of money. It just shows that people have such high regard for matters of our National Health Service, and it’s really amazing that people have paid so much money.”

What has Captain Tom Moore been up to since he finished his challenge?

Captain Tom completed his 100-lap challenge on Friday 17th March, at which time the donation total had hit £17 million.

MORE: Here’s how you can safely send a birthday card to Captain Tom Moore when he turns 100

But he’s certainly not been sitting back since then.

In fact, he’s continued to think of others, by tweeting explaining that he’d love any gifts sent to him for his 100th birthday to instead be redirected to a local care home.

He wrote, “I have very kindly been offered lots of lovely items, such as walkers, chairs and other items. I have everything I need, so instead of giving to me, perhaps you could donate these generous offers to a local care home. Thank you.” What a lovely gesture!

Being promoted to an army Colonel on his 100th birthday

On his 100th birthday today, Tom has been made an honorary colonel, as a way of marking his remarkable NHS fundraising efforts.

He was appointed as the first Honorary Colonel of the Army Foundation College Harrogate. Colonel is a senior military title.

Of the accolade, and turning 100 with the support of the British public, he said, “Reaching 100 is quite something. Reaching 100 with such interest in me and huge generosity from the public is very overwhelming,

“People keep saying what I have done is remarkable, however it’s actually what you have done for me which is remarkable. Please always remember, tomorrow will be a good day.”

He’s even received Happy Birthday wishes from the Queen herself and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Winning a Pride of Britain Award

Tom has also recently been given a Pride of Britain Award! The veteran was virtually handed the prestigious gong on Good Morning Britain by Carol Vorderman, who told him that she’d give it to him in person when the ceremony goes ahead.

In response, he said, “I am totally in awe of this award. It is such a prestigious one. This is absolutely amazing. You are all so kind. Thank you very very much”

Opening an NHS Nightingale Hospital

On Tuesday, Tom also officially opened a new Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate, Yorkshire – likely a special moment, as Tom himself was born in Keighley, West Yorkshire.

He opened the new, 500-bed facility via video call from his home in Bedfordshire.

Tom opening the new Nightingale Hospital. Credit: Getty Images

At the opening, he said, “We must all say ‘thank you very much to the national health service, all of you, everyone throughout the whole system, who are doing such a magnificent job.”

Achieving a number one single

And that’s not all. Captain Tom Moore also collaborated with singer Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care Choir on an NHS charity single – a cover of You’ll Never Walk Alone.

The single went on to top the charts, achieving the number one spot – another achievement for Captain Tom!

Inspiring a wave of artistry dedicated to him

Recently, Tom has also inspired a wave of creative tributes too. Many artists across the country have taken to creating paintings, drawings and murals of Captain Tom, in tribute to his fundraising for the NHS.

Overwhelmed with all the lovely messages, comments tweets and shares I’ve had of @captaintommoore artwork it’s been so lovely so Thankyou! What an honour to paint a hero of 2020 #CaptainTomMoore #CaptainTom #artist #artwork #painting @GMB @piersmorgan pic.twitter.com/WtRPqQjfJb

— AdamSalisburyArt (@ArtSalisbury) April 20, 2020

All stretched and framed just the Epaulette border and it’s finished xx #justaddshoulders #CaptainTomMoore #legend #protectiveservices #yorkshireregiment #dukeofwellingtons #shouldertoshoulder @GMB @NESMUSEUM @jp2uk @thismorning @BBCBreaking @BBCNorthampton pic.twitter.com/y5XyujzLBu

— Sam Bailey (@SamBailey456) April 18, 2020

What a busy few weeks!

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