COLONEL TOM Moore is to be awarded a knighthood for his efforts in raising £33m for the NHS.
The World War II veteran initially set himself a target of raising £1,000 for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden with the aid of a walking frame, ahead of his 100th birthday on April 30.
However, his story soon went global with Colonel Tom emerging as one of the heroes of the coronavirus pandemic and a source of hope and inspiration to millions the world over.
By the time he completed the 100 laps in the days leading up to his birthday, Colonel Tom had raised an astonishing £33m with donations flooding in from across the UK and the rest of the watching world.
He went on to receive 150,000 birthday cards on his 100th birthday, while his charitable efforts saw him made an honorary colonel by the Army Foundation College.
Colonel Tom was also awarded the Freedom of the City of London award for his incredible work.
The 100-year-old will receive his knighthood in the coming months having been nominated for the honour by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and approved by the Queen.
“Colonel Tom’s fantastic fundraising broke records, inspired the whole country and provided us all with a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus,” Johnson said.
“On behalf of everyone who has been moved by his incredible story, I want to say a huge thank you. He’s a true national treasure.”
A Downing Street spokesperson also confirmed the government is exploring ways to honour the brave efforts of the UK’s frontline NHS and social care staff during the coronavirus crisis.
“We know there is huge appetite to say thank you to all those supporting the nation during this emergency and doing incredible things day in, day out, up and down the country,” they said.
“We will ensure these unsung heroes are recognised in the right way, at the right time.”
