Emotional Colonel Tom Moore watches RAF flypast for his 100th birthday

vt-author-image

By VT

Article saved!Article saved!

An emotional Colonel Tom Moore has watched his special RAF flypast for his 100th birthday.

This comes after Moore's military ranking was changed from Captain to Colonel on his birthday after he raised a staggering amount of money for the NHS shortly before turning 100.

Watch Colonel Tom's emotional reaction to the flypast in the video below: 

Moore had initially set out with the goal of raising £1,000 for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic by doing 100 laps of his garden. It was his way of giving back for all the medical help he has received over the years. However, his campaign exploded in popularity and his total now stands at £30 million at the time of writing.

The spitfire and hurricane made a 68-mile trip to perform three loops of the WW11 veteran's home in Bedfordshire, England in celebration of his milestone birthday.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the flypast would "celebrate [Colonel] Tom’s birthday and mark his amazing fundraising achievement."

Per the Metro, it urged people "to follow [Colonel] Tom's disciplined example and not gather to watch the flypast but continue following guidelines on social distancing."

Colonel Tom Moore making a thumbs up.
Credit: 1702

In a message to his supporters that was cited by the news outlet, Colonel Tom said: "Reaching 100 is quite something. Reaching 100 with such interest in me and huge generosity from the public is very overwhelming.

"People keep saying what I have done is remarkable, however, it's actually what you have done for me which is remarkable.

I felt a little frustrated and disappointed after I broke my hip and it knocked my confidence. However, the past three weeks have put a spring back in my step. I have renewed purpose and have thoroughly enjoyed every second of this exciting adventure, but I can't keep walking forever.

The donations page will close at midnight this evening. NHS Charities Together still have their urgent appeal, so people can donate to them that way.

I am going to spend my birthday with my family, both here in person and with my daughter remotely, and then I am going to have a few days' rest. My legs may be tired, but my mind is racing and I'm hoping to be back very soon with other ways in which I can help people, help others.

Please always remember, 'Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day'. With my sincerest gratitude, Captain Tom Moore."

If you would like to donate to Colonel Moore's JustGiving campaign, you can do so here.

And on that note, Happy Birthday Colonel Moore - the UK's coronavirus hero.