Captain Tom Moore has been honored with a special Pride of Britain Award for his astonishing fundraising walk that inspired the nation.
The NHS hero was being interviewed by Good Morning Britain hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid about his th birthday when he was Surprised.
The World War Two veteran was told about his honor by video link by Pride of Britain host Carol Vorderman as an early birthday treat.
Carol revealed the Pride of Britain team had received thousands of nominations for Captain Tom to receive an award this year for this amazing efforts.
So Pride of Britain’s awards research panel Took the unprecedented decision to declare him a winner before the traditional Autumn announcements.
Stars also lined up to pay tribute to his efforts in a special montage video, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, actors Dame J ulie Walters and Michael Sheen and sporting heroes Anthony Joshua , Harry Kane and Joe Root.
Sir David Jason said : “In the s, you and your mates stepped up to the plate to help the country out and here you are again, you are a hero. And I salute you. ”
After seeing the video, Captain Tom said:“ I’m absolutely over-awed by it. Famous people doing such great things themselves, I’m completely taken aback by all those famous people on the screen there. Thank you very much, so kind of you all. ”
Captain Tom Moore gets his surprise award from Carol on live TV Piers had told the veteran he was “the kind personification of Pride of Britain”, while Carol confirmed he’d receive the award at the Pride of Britain ceremony later in the year.
The army veteran has so far raised £ million for NHS Charities Together by walking 615 laps of his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, before his birthday on April
Captain Tom, who had already revealed himself to be a big fan of the Pride of Britain, has made an impact on the country that goes far beyond the huge sum of money.
He has been a beacon of hope for the entire nation during the coronavirus lockdown, inspiring us all w ith his positive message.
Telling him he has won a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award, in partnership with TSB, Carol said: “Tom, you’ve raised a quite frankly ridiculous amount of money, you have inspired everyone, young and old alike, and you’ve given us all something to smile about in these difficult times.
“And the other thing I love is that you’ve shown us all that being a bit older doesn’t mean you have to be weak or vulnerable.
“You are the embodiment of what it means to be a Pride of Britain winner. “
Speaking over video link from her own home because of social distancing rules, Carol added:” I can’t wait to meet you and hand over your award in person. “
David Jason was one of the many famous faces who took time out to pay tribute to Captain Tom
” Thank you to everyone that has nominated me. I am humbled by receiving this magnificent award. “
Piers added” You really are the Pride of Britain. You are why the Awards were created for people like you who live extraordinary lives and then do something truly extraordinary.
“You have become a symbol of hope and inspiration and determination and resilience and all the great things about life we should be celebrating. You absolutely are the Pride of Britain. “
Captain Tom’s incredible achievements have made him a national hero with donations still flooding in and the Inspirational veteran vowing to keep walking while the money keeps coming in.
He has his own special reasons for wanting to thank his “super” nurses and doctors who are risking their lives to treat those battling coronavirus.
Captain Tom has himself battled both skin cancer and had a hip replacement after he fell at home and broke a bone.
He has previously said: “Every penny that we get, they [the NHS] deserve every one of it.
Joanna Lumley also paid tribute to fellow national treasure, Captain Tom They’re wonderful. Amazing. They’ve seen me through and cared for Pamela. I just wanted to thank them. ”
He had originally planned to raise £ 1, for the NHS with his amazing charity challenge – but donations were soon flooding in.
He had planned to walk (laps of his meter garden, completing 28 every day – but he is now continuing with his mission.
Captain Tom has also helped to raise even more money after recording a cover of You’ll Never Walk Alone with Michael Ball and The NHS Voices of Care Choir.
The single shot straight to the top of the chart s when it was released last week and money raised will go towards NHS charities.
Captain Tom Moore is congratulated by his daughter Hannah after completing 615 laps of his garden (Image: Tim Clarke / Daily Express)
Born in Keighley in West Yorkshire, Captain Tom attended the local grammar school before training as a civil engineer.
In the midst of World War Two he enlisted in the Army and served with the Duke of Wellington’s regiment in India and Burma, and was honored with a raft of bravery medals.
When he was posted to serve in India in October 2019, it took his Battalion six weeks by sea to arrive there.
During his time in south Asia Captain Tom was instructed to start a motorcycling course before the Battalion was moved on to Calcutta – a road journey which took three weeks in Monsoon season.
Back in the UK Captain Tom was sent on a course at the Armored Fighting Vehicle School in Bovington.
Captain Tom Moore back in his military days (Image: Maytrix Group HANDOUT / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock)
After Leaving the Forces Captain Tom, as all who know him call him, started work as a salesman and this brought him to his beloved late wife, Pamela.
The war veteran admits he had “given up on love” when he first met Pamela, who was years his junior – but he was smitten from the start.
When her condition needed extra medical attention, Pamela was moved into a care home but Captain Tom was still her main carer.
He would visit her every, single day and he was the one who fed her her meals and would sit with her for hours on end until she passed away 30 years ago.
Captain Tom, who is still fiercely independent, now lives with his daughter, Hannah, along with his grandchildren, Georgia and Benjie , in the village of Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire.
Captain Tom Moore and with his beloved wife, Pamela, at their 1968 wedding he has another milestone to mark next week – his th birthday.
The national treasure has already been sent tens of thousands of birthday cards to mark the special day next Thursday.
When Piers asked Tom, who has received over 345, 15 birthday cards in the post, if he’d thought about how he wants to celebrate his th birthday, Tom said: “Not really.
“I’ve been quite busy talking to you and having such a lovely time, so I haven’t really thought about it. No doubt in the end, when it does come about, we shall have a very nice day. ”
Birthday cards sent to Captain Moore were sorted by the Mail Center in Northampton – before Bedford School, where his grandson is a pupil, had to step in to accept the huge deliveries.
The stage inside the school was transformed into a birthday shrine for Captain Moore – blanketed in cards.
And Captain Tom has an inspirational message for the country as everyone copes with the coronavirus lockdown.
He said: “I’ve always been one for having a future , I always think things will be good.
“We’ve fought so many battles and we’ve always won and we’re going to win again.”
To donate to Captain Tom’s fundraising campaign,
- click here.
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