99-year-old veteran raises over $19 million for healthcare system walking around his garden
With an abundance of trying and unsettling times, it’s easy to let things like faith and hope come unhinged. However, from the darkness always shines a light. When the worst happens humanity always has a way of pushing up from the depths with acts of generosity and a spirit of true kindness.
Such is the case with a 99-year-old British war veteran, Captain Tom Moore, who turns one hundred at the end of this month.
He has now raised over 19 million dollars for Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) in the fight against the global pandemic. Aided by a walker, Moore pledged to walk 100 laps around his 25m garden, an accomplishment he just completed today!
Moore took the challenge in strides, completing around ten laps a day.
He originally set a target of raising £1,000 ($1,244), but his efforts quickly caught the attention of the public eye and his fundraiser is now at a stunning £15 million ($19 million) and counting.
Support has flooded in from all kinds of people and resources, honoring the veteran’s admirable mission.
Support has even come from the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, who said Moore has “captured the heart of the nation” and “embodied the spirit of the whole country in doing their bit for the battle against coronavirus”. Not only this, but the Prime Minister’s spokesman also said that Johnson “will certainly be looking at ways to recognise Tom’s heroic efforts.”
Due to the overwhelming response, the veteran has said that as long as people continue to contribute to the NHS fundraiser he will continue to walk the lengths of his Bedfordshire garden.
An inspiration to many, Moore is focused on giving to the NHS to help aid efforts against the coronavirus. He served in India, Burma, and Sumatra during the Second World War and has been inspired by the excellent care they offered him while he endured a broken hip as well as cancer.
Moore revealed to BBC One:
“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.”
The flood of support has infused the campaign with an amazing amount of donations.
The hearts of many have stepped out to embrace Moore’s walk. On a recent Twitter post, the JustGive team commented that Moore “officially generated the highest traffic in JG history!”.
Moore’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore has been beaming with the light and positivity coming from her father. She told the press:
“I believe that life is all about purpose, we all need purpose, and, whilst he’s had a life full of purpose, he did fall and break his hip and became much less independent than he had been for the preceding 98 years, and what you have done, the British public, and everyone who’s supported him, is giving him his next purpose. He is articulate, he’s alive, he’s doing this and I think he’ll do this until everyone says, ‘Stop, don’t do it any more’.”
Captain Moore’s heroic JustGiving campaign is currently active and beloved by many, you can find the link to donate here.
Follow Moore’s efforts on Twitter and YouTube, which are both frequently updated.
Check out his BBC News story below and watch him complete his final lap!
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