Boris Johnson to ‘look at ways to reward’ Captain Tom Moore as calls grow to knight inspirational 99-year-old

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BORIS Johnson will look at how best to reward was hero Captain Tom Moore – after he completed 100 laps of his garden this morning raising more than £13 million for the NHS.

The 99-year-old WWII veteran polished off the last few laps on his zimmer frame earlier today – and insisted he will continue for as long as people keep giving money.

Captain Tom Moore pictured as he completed his 100 laps while raising over £13m for the NHS

Captain Tom, whose heroics have seen him win the hearts of the nation, completed the final four of the 25-metre laps at his Bedfordshire home as a special guard of honour by the 1st battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment saluted his incredible feat.

Speaking at the finish line, he said he felt “fine” and that he was “surrounded by the right sort of people”.

Of the coronavirus pandemic, he added: “We will get through it in the end but it might take time, but at the end of the day we shall all be okay again… the sun will shine on you again and the clouds will go away.”

Captain Tom had originally set out to raise just £1,000 and planned to reach his target before his 100th birthday on April 30.

And this lunchtime the PM’s spokesperson said that Boris would look at how best to recognise his heroic efforts.

They said today: “Captain Tom has captured the heart of the nation with his heroic effort and raised an incredible amount of money for hardworking NHS staff.

“He has embodied the spirit of the country…

“From his military contributions to his support for NH staff, Tom has demonstrated a lifetime of bravery and compassion.

“The pm will be looking at ways to recognise Tom and his efforts.”

The WWII hero was given a special guard of honour by the 1st battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment
The WWII hero was given a special guard of honour by the 1st battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment

He said plans for his party have been affected by the virus but added that the national outpouring of love and support for him was “a party enough for me”.

The veteran, who lives with his family, was given a special mention in a press briefing on Wednesday by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who described him as an “inspiration”.

The Ministry of Defence tweeted its congratulations as he finished his walk.

After being told he had become the largest single fundraiser for the JustGiving donation site, Captain Tom said he would continue with his fundraising.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain today he said: “I shall continue walking so as long as people are generous enough to send money to the National Health Service.”

Captain Tom had originally set out to raise just £1,000

Captain Tom had originally set out to raise just £1,000 for the NHS

The 99-year-old gives supporters the thumbs-up at the end of his challenge

The Ministry of Defence tweeted its congratulations as he finished his walk

The Ministry of Defence tweeted its congratulations as he finished his walk
He has raised more than £12m and counting

He added: “It’s unbelievable that this sum of money has been raised for such super people.

“I think it shows we’re such a generous, thoughtful people.

“We’re so generous in every way that this sort of money has come along and it’s for such a super purpose. For our doctors, nurses and backup people – they deserve everything we can give them.”

His daughter Hannah said he had become a “beacon of hope” during challenging times and that the local postmaster had already been “inundated” with messages ahead of his birthday.

With a campaign to have Captain Tom knighted for his fundraising efforts gaining momentum, he told GMB he would be “amazed” if it happened but spoke of his admiration for the Queen.

He said: “Our Queen is absolutely marvellous. We should all be so proud of her. She is the leader of the country and she’s always been so perfect. As far as I’m concerned we couldn’t have had a better queen.”

Bookies have already made it odds on, at 1-2, that Captain Tom will be honoured in the next New Year’s Honours List.

After completing his 100th lap 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 when he was 50 let alone 100, while Chancellor Rishi Sunak praised his “Yorkshire grit”.

Captain Tom appeared on GMB this morning saying he would continue walking

 

Captain Tom enlisted in 145 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps at the start of WWII

Captain Tom enlisted in 145 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps at the start of WWII

Originally from Keighley in West Yorkshire, Tom enlisted in 145 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps at the start of WWII and was chosen for officer training in 1940, rising to the rank of Captain.

He was posted in the 9DWR in India and went on to serve his country in Arakan and Burma.

He became an instructor at The Armoured Fighting Vehicle School in Bovington, Dorset, upon his return to the UK.