Captain Tom Moore, the 100-year-old veteran who served in India, and has raised a record over 32 billion pounds for charity during the coronavirus crisis to help the National Health Service (NHS), will be knighted by the Queen Elizabeth II.
Reacting to the honour to be bestowed upon him following the special recommendation of the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, veteran said that he was ‘overwhelmed’ with the honour. The recommendation was accepted by the 94-year-old monarch and a formal recognition is expected soon.
As per the protocols of the defence ministry, Moore will have the title of Captain Sir Thomas Moore.
Delighted with the honour, the veteran who has expressed his desire to visit India again, in a series of tweets said, “'I am absolutely overwhelmed. Never for one moment could I have imagined I would be awarded with such a great honour. I’d like to thank Her Majesty The Queen, the Prime Minister and the Great British public. I will remain at your service. This started as something small and I’ve been overwhelmed by the gratitude and love from the British public and beyond. We must take this opportunity to recognise our frontline heroes of the National Health Service who put their lives at risk every day to keep us safe.”
Adulation and praise has been pouring in for the veteran. Leading the charge, the UK PM described Moore as a ‘true national treasure’ who ‘provided us all with a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus’.
He said that on behalf of everyone who has been moved by his incredible story, he wants to thank him.
Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition Labour Party, also congratulated Moore. He tweeted, “On behalf of the Labour party, I congratulate Captain Tom Moore on his knighthood. In these difficult times for our country, Tom brought inspiration to millions and helped all of us to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our NHS.”
The latest recognition follows his coronation as an honorary colonel in honour of his centenary on April 30. Just days before was going to strike a century, the veteran decided to walk in his garden in his Bedfordshire home to raise money for NHS. He had set a modest target of 1,000 pounds initially.
His steely resolve and determination to complete the walk challenge using a walking frame took Britishers with surprise and awe. Inspired, people helped in large numbers and within days Moore had raised millions of pounds, a situation he had never imagined when he began his campaign.
