We honor today Sir Tom Moore, who died of Covid-19, an unknown person until a few months ago when he stunned the world as he turned 100, marching in laps around his home and raising tens of millions for NHS charities, to mark the approach of his 100th birthday. After an incredible life, last November the fundraising hero and Second World War veteran became the oldest person to ever appear on the cover of British GQ magazine. Sir Tom was knighted by Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle in July last year after his heroic fundraising campaign captured the nation's hearts during some of the darkest months of the Covid-19 pandemic. Captain Tom set out to raise £1,000 for the NHS by walking the length of his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire. In the end he would raise more than £30 million and become a beacon of hope for Britain. On the morning of his centenary, on April 30 last year, the Second World War veteran was saluted in his garden with a flypast by a Hawker Hurricane and a Spitfire. The pilots dipped their wings in a heartfelt salute to his fundraising marathon. He turned to the TV crew across the lawn and said with a twinkle: 'I can't believe all this fuss is for me – and only because I went for a little stroll!' In fact, his efforts raised £32.8million for NHS Charities Together – plus another £6.1million in gift aid, taking the total to £38.9million. Rest in Peace, Sir Tom.
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