Arise Sir Tom! Colonel Tom Moore is to be KNIGHTED after raising astonishing £39million for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden during coronavirus lockdown

Larisa Brown ^ | 20th May 2020 | Daily Mail

[naturalman1975]

He has lifted the spirits of the nation with his £39million fundraising effort to celebrate turning 100. Now Colonel Tom Moore – who has already been promoted from captain – is to be recognised further with a knighthood, it was revealed last night.

The Second World War veteran received a special nomination from the Prime Minister, which is to become the first of dozens of coronavirus crisis gongs.

Boris Johnson described him as a national treasure and said he had provided a 'beacon of light' through the Covid-19 crisis.

Sir Tom has raised a remarkable £32.8million for NHS charities by walking more than 100 laps of his garden on his wheeled frame before his 100th birthday last month. The figure went up £39million with Gift Aid.

His honour, which has been approved by the Queen, will formally be announced today. Last night Sir Tom said: 'I am absolutely overwhelmed.

'Never for one moment could I have imagined to be awarded with such a great honour. I'd like to thank Her Majesty the Queen, the Prime Minister and the great British public. I will remain at your service. This started as something small and I've been overwhelmed by the gratitude and love from the British public and beyond.

'We must take this opportunity to recognise our frontline heroes of the National Health Service who put their lives at risk everyday to keep us safe.'

[naturalman1975]

No matter what people may think of the British NHS, this man is a good man who deserves everything he gets.

[Secret Agent Man]

Very surprised to see a nice old white guy still honored in the UK.

[dsc]

Admirable.

[Crucial]

I guess he created that natural walking path around his garden he always wanted.

[mass55th]

God Bless him.

[flaglady47]

“Sir” Rhomas Moore. Like his historical name.

[flaglady47]

Whoops, typo. Sir Thomas Moore, above, not Rhomas. A slip of the finger.

[Da_Shrimp]

Yes, great to see him honoured. He expected to raise £1000, so it came as a big surprise to get over £30 million!

BTW, I think a great deal of the NHS - it saved my life 4 years ago with the speed with which it diagnosed and treated my bowel cancer, and the way it dealt with my wife's perforated gall bladder last year: took her to Casualty (the same as your ER) at 2am and she was in surgery to have it removed by 8am.