A forest of thank-yous! School hall is filled with 120,000 birthday cards wishing Captain Tom a happy 100th as veteran asks for gifts to go to coronavirus sufferers
- Birthday cards are flying in for Second World War hero who has helped raise £29million for NHS charities
- Captain Tom Moore turns 100 on Thursday, April 30, his birthday inspired him to start raising money
- But as well wishers reach out to the veteran from Bedfordshire, he asks them to donate to local care homes
- His eldest daughter Lucy says her father has already received around 1,000 gifts from the public
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
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NHS fundraising hero Cpt Tom Moore has received 120,000 birthday cards wishing him well and thanking him for his incredible fundraising feat – but the Second World War veteran has turned down offers of gifts and instead asked for them to go to coronavirus sufferers.
Second World War veteran Tom, 99, set out to raise £1,000 for NHS Communities by doing laps of his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire before his 100th birthday on Thursday, April 30. After passing that target in less than 24 hours, donations have poured in support of Captain Tom and his current tally rests at £29million.
As he prepares to become a centenarian, Cpt Tom has captured the country’s hearts and Brits decided to send off birthday cards ahead of the big day. Now Bedford School, near the veteran’s home, has filled its school hall with thousands of cards from across the country.
But with just three days until he turns 100, Cpt Tom has declined any gifts from the public and instead asked for the public to donate to people suffering as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Today he tweeted: ‘I continue to be offered lots of lovely items. I really do have everything I need but others are struggling due to Covid-19 so, rather than giving to me, please look to donate these generous offers to a local care home or someone in your community. Thank you.’
The cards are being held at Bedford School, attended by Cpt Moore’s 16-year-old grandson, Benjie Ingram-Moore said: ‘It means a lot to grandad as well as us as a family. We are hugely proud of how the nation has taken grandad to its heart. Words can’t express how much I idolise him.’
A total of 140 volunteers including pupils, parents, teachers and alumni have been helping organise the lorry-loads of cards being delivered to wish Cpt Tom a happy 100th birthday.
Captain Tom Moore’s grandson Benjie stands in the Great Hall of Bedford School surrounded by the 120,000 birthday cards sent to his grandfather from around the world on Monday
Cpt Moore’s fundraising efforts have gained praise from royalty and celebrities, now people from around the world have written to him wish him a happy 100th birthday on Thursday, April 30
While most of us will be happy with a mantelpiece full of cards, Cpt Tom Moore has enough well-wishers to fill the entire Great Hall of Bedford School, near his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire
Birthday cards from around the world have been sent to a boarding school in Bedford to wish Captain Tom Moore a happy 100th birthday
Benjie, Cpt Moore’s grandson, holds one of thousands of cards written to his grandfather ahead of his birthday on Thursday
Yesterday Cpt Tom’s eldest daughter Lucy Teixeira said he had received at least a thousands gifts ‘of everything from chocolate and flowers’.
Speaking to the Sunday People, daughter Lucy said: ‘He is absolutely blown away and humbled by the support.’
She added she will be singing Happy Birthday to her father on BBC Breakfast on Thursday, saying: ‘And he will have cake – he loves cake.’
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were among the voices praising Cpt Moore for his incredible fundraiser, with Prince William hailing the Second World War veteran as a ‘one-man fundraising machine’.
He added: ‘He’s been around a long time, he knows everything and it’s wonderful that everyone has been inspired by his story and determination.’
Captain Tom Moore has captured Britain’s heart after raising £29million for NHS charities by walking 100 laps of his Bedfordshire garden before his 100th birthday this Thursday
Bedford School staff opened and displayed thousands of cards as they arrived at the boarding school, which dates back to the 16th century
As well as lining the floors of the Great Hall, cards hang from the ceiling and sit on the stage as staff scrambled for any bit of space to put the influx of letters wishing Cpt Tom Moore a happy 100th birthday
The Great Hall of Bedford School can hardly be seen among the thousands of cards addressed to Cpt Tom Moore, who puilled in more than £29million worth of donations for the NHS
By Sunday Cpt Moore had received around 1,000 gifts and more than 100,000 cards, which are being held at Bedford School, he’s now asked well-wishers to send gifts to people who are suffering during the coronavirus pandemic
Birthday cards have been arriving at Bedford School by the lorry load as Cpt Tom Moore prepares to celebrate his birthday on Thursday
Cpt Moore’s daughter said she would be singing him a happy birthday live on BBC Breakfast and they would celebrate with cake later on in the day