How much did Captain Tom raise in total for the NHS - and what's he been doing since fundraising ended?
This is amazing...
The war veteran became famous for raising money for the NHS on his Just Giving page - but how much did Captain Tom Moore raise in total?
Sir Captain Tom Moore died on February 2 after being admitted to hospital with coronavirus and pneumonia. He turned 100 years old in spring last year, after completing 100 laps of his garden to raise money for the NHS.
His initial aim was to raise £1,000 for the health service but once the public found out about the fundraising effort, the total soon mounted up to an incredible sum.
He became famous face, known around the world, and was even knighted by the Queen for his efforts as well as being a feature in the London New Year's Eve fireworks display.
How much did Captain Tom raise for the NHS on his JustGiving page?
Donations for Captain Tom's challenge have now closed, and the total ended up being an incredible number.
The inspirational veteran eventually raised over a staggering £32.8 million for the NHS - £32,795,065 - to be exact. Captain Tom has received donations from across the country, including an 'undisclosed' sum from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
If you missed out on donating to Tom's total, you can still donate directly to NHS Charities Together - the charity the money was being raised for. Make a donation here.
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When Tom surpassed the £5 million mark a few days in, he expressed his disbelief and gratitude over the soaring total.
He said, "Completely out of this world! Thank you so much to all you people who subscribe to the National Health Service because, for every penny that we get, they deserve every one of it. I think that's absolutely enormous.
Has Captain Tom been knighted?
Downing Street has announced that Captain Tom is officially set to be given a knighthood, in light of his incredible work raising money for the NHS during the pandemic.
Announcing Captain Tom's knighthood, Prime Minister Boris Johnson called him a “true national treasure”.
He also praised Tom's “fantastic fundraising” which he said “provided us all with a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus”.
Speaking about the moment he received the letter informing him of the knighthood, Tom said, "I thought this can't be true. I certainly was never anticipating that the letter would be sent to me."
Talking to BBC Breakfast, he shared that he felt 'delighted' by the honour.
"To get this honour is so outstanding that I really can't say how different I feel, but I certainly feel that I've been given an outstanding honour by the Queen and Prime Minister," Captain Tom said.
Tom will be knighted today (17th July), at Windsor Castle, by the Queen.
What was Captain Tom Moore up to after he finished his challenge?
Captain Tom completed his 100-lap challenge on Friday March 17 2020, at which time the donation total had hit £17 million.
But he certainly didn't sit back after completing the challenge.
Being promoted to an army Colonel on his 100th birthday
On his 100th birthday, Tom was made an honorary colonel, as a way of marking his remarkable NHS fundraising efforts.
He was appointed as the first Honorary Colonel of the Army Foundation College Harrogate. Colonel is a senior military title.
Of the accolade, and turning 100 with the support of the British public, he 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. Please always remember, tomorrow will be a good day."
He's even received Happy Birthday wishes from the Queen herself and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Winning a Pride of Britain Award
Tom was given a Pride of Britain Award! The veteran was virtually handed the prestigious gong on Good Morning Britain by Carol Vorderman, who told him that she'd give it to him in person when the ceremony goes ahead.
In response, he said, "I am totally in awe of this award. It is such a prestigious one. This is absolutely amazing. You are all so kind. Thank you very very much"
Opening an NHS Nightingale Hospital
Early on in the pandemic, Tom also officially opened a new Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate, Yorkshire - likely a special moment, as Tom himself was born in Keighley, West Yorkshire.
He opened the new, 500-bed facility via video call from his home in Bedfordshire.
At the opening, he said, "We must all say 'thank you very much to the national health service, all of you, everyone throughout the whole system, who are doing such a magnificent job."
Achieving a number one single
And that's not all. Captain Tom Moore collaborated with singer Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care Choir on an NHS charity single - a cover of You'll Never Walk Alone.
The single went on to top the charts, achieving the number one spot and made Captain Tom Moore the oldest person in the UK to achieve a number one single.
Inspiring a wave of artistry dedicated to him
Recently, Tom inspired a wave of creative tributes too. Many artists across the country have taken to creating paintings, drawings and murals of Captain Tom, in tribute to his fundraising for the NHS.
Captain Tom's Barbados holiday: where did he go and where did he stay?
Captain Tom Moore flew out to Barbados, courtesy of British Airways, on December 11 - before the government's strict lockdown travel rules came into place. It's not known where exactly he stayed on the tropical island but he went with his family.
After he was admitted to hospital with coronavirus, prominent names including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Health Secretary Matt Hancock, Amanda Holden, Piers Morgan, Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield wished the war veteran well with his recovery.
Did Captain Tom have the coronavirus vaccine?
No, Captain Tom Moore did not have the coronavirus vaccine before or after he tested positive for the virus.
A spokesperson for the family said that this was due to the medication he was on for pneumonia.
Amy is Senior Digital Writer across Woman & Home, GoodTo and Woman, writing about everything from celebrity news to health, fashion and beauty features. When she isn't obsessing over the latest dress drop from Marks & Spencer, you'll most likely find Amy out running, or with a cup of tea in hand ready to dive into a gripping new Netflix series.
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