Captain Tom Moore describes response to £26m fundraiser as ‘being in fairyland’

Captain’s daughter says ‘our life has changed in the last five days’

Olivia Petter
Monday 27 April 2020 14:14 BST
Comments
Piccadilly Circus lights up for Captain Tom Moore

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Captain Tom Moore has said that the response to his fundraiser for the NHS has felt “rather like being in fairyland”.

The 99-year-old veteran has raised more than £26m for NHS Charities Together by taking part in a “100th birthday walk”.

Earlier this month, Cpt Moore set out a goal of raising £1,000 for the organisation supporting frontline NHS workers by walking 100 laps of his garden.

The veteran’s aim was to complete the 100 laps before his 100th birthday at the end of the month.

Despite completing the 100 laps of his garden on Thursday 16 April, Cpt Moore has said he will continue on with his birthday walk in order to raise more money.

Mr Moore is also on track for a number one single with his cover of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” with West End star Michael Ball.

Speaking to Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain alongside his daughter, Hannah Ingram Moore, the British veteran explained how the response has impacted his life.

“Our life has changed in the last five days”, said Ms Ingram-Moore.

“Every day something extraordinary happens.

“We simply remain a happy family and utterly humbled by the support of the public.”

Ms Ingram-Moore added that her father is walking every day but is having to fit it around his increasingly packed media schedule.

“He’s still walking, he’s still going out every day, but he’s having to fit it in with the interviews around the world,” she said.

Given Cpt Moore’s extraordinary fundraising efforts, a petition has been launched to have him knighted.

So far, the petition has received more than 850,000 signatures.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in