Captain Tom Moore

Tom Moore (soldier)

Tom after WW2

YorksRegMedal

Royal Mail - Tom Moore postmark

Hawker Hurricane LF363 4a (6116235448)

Captain Tom Moore Train Naming

Captain Sir Thomas Moore (30 April 1920 – 2 February 2021), popularly known as Captain Tom Moore or simply Captain Tom, was a British Army officer and fundraiser who became a national hero in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is best known for his efforts to raise money for charity in the run-up to his 100th birthday during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early Life and Military Career

Captain Tom was born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, England. He attended Keighley Grammar School and later completed an apprenticeship as a civil engineer before joining the British Army during the Second World War. He served in India, the Burma campaign, and Sumatra. After the war, he returned to the United Kingdom and worked as a sales manager and a managing director of a concrete company.

Fundraising Efforts

In the lead-up to his 100th birthday on 30 April 2020, Moore began to walk laps around his garden with the goal of raising £1,000 for the NHS Charities Together, a group of charities supporting staff, volunteers, and patients in the British National Health Service (NHS). He aimed to complete 100 laps before his 100th birthday. His efforts captured the public's imagination, and he quickly exceeded his initial target. By the end of his fundraising campaign, he had raised more than £32 million, making him the largest individual fundraiser for the NHS at the time.

Recognition

Captain Tom's efforts were widely recognized and celebrated. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in a special ceremony at Windsor Castle in July 2020. He also received the Pride of Britain Award and was promoted to Honorary Colonel of the Army Foundation College. His birthday was marked by flypasts from the Royal Air Force and the British Army. Furthermore, he was awarded the Freedom of the City of London and inspired the creation of the "Captain Tom Moore Day" to honor his birthday and legacy.

Death and Legacy

Captain Tom Moore passed away on 2 February 2021, after being treated for pneumonia and then testing positive for COVID-19. His death was met with an outpouring of tributes from around the world, including from the Queen, the Prime Minister, and other public figures. His legacy continues through the Captain Tom Foundation, which supports causes close to his heart such as loneliness, bereavement, and mental health.

See Also

• COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
• NHS Charities Together
• Second World War