When army veteran Tom Moore set about on his challenge to raise some much-deserved dosh for the NHS, he had no idea just how much the nation would get behind him but now he's managed to raise an incredible £10 million.
The 99-year-old has been completing 10 laps of his 25 metre garden and hopes to have completed 100 before he turns 100 at the end of the month.
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Tom's original goal was to reach £1,000 as a way of saying thank you to the NHS for all the help he's received over the years but he's smashed through his target and then some.
Speaking to the BBC, Tom said: "I thank the British public from the bottom of my heart. It's difficult to imagine all these kind people who have donated so far. It's just amazing."
Tom was born and raised in Keighley, Yorkshire, and went on to be enlisted in the eighth battalion of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment (8 DWR) at the beginning of the war.
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In 1940 he was selected for Officer training, and was later posted to 9 DWR in India, later serving and fighting on the Arakan.
He also went to Sumatra after the Japanese surrender, before returning to be Instructor at Armoured Fighting Vehicle School in Bovington.
More recently, Tom said the NHS has been 'marvellous' in helping him recover from both a hip replacement and skin cancer over the past couple of years.
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The fundraiser, which was set up by his daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, is his way of showing his gratitude to those who have helped him - at a time when resources are stretched due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Hannah first set the target to £1,000, but this was then raised to £100,000. Once Tom also beat that, it jumped up to £250,000, followed by £500,000.
Hannah took to Twitter to say: "We are overwhelmed by the response. It's extraordinary. We remain proud and humbled by the generosity of the British public."
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To support Tom's walk, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tomswalkforthenhs.
Featured Image Credit: SWNSTopics: UK Community, Coronavirus, Community, UK
