Local NewsCoronavirus

Actions

100-year-old WWII veteran to be knighted for raising $40M for health charities

100-year-old WWII veteran to be knighted for raising $40M for health charities
Posted at 5:11 AM, May 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-20 08:11:22-04

A 100-year-old British World War II veteran will be knighted after he helped raise more than $40 million for the country's healthcare system by running laps in his backyard.

Last month, then-Captain Tom Moore made international news when he set out to raise 1,000 pounds for charities associated with the United Kingdom National Health Service. He ended up raising nearly 33 million pounds, which were donated by 1.5 million people around the world.

Downing Street confirmed Moore's knighthood on Wednesday.

"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," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, according to the BBC.

The Royal Family is expected to formally approve the knighthood in the coming days.

Moore received the honorary title of Colonel on his 100th birthday, but according to the BBC, Ministry of Defence protocol says his new title will be "Captain Sir Thomas Moore."

On his 100th birthday on April 30, the Royal Air Force conducted a military flyover of his home in Bedfordshire. He also received a personalized birthday card from Queen Elizabeth.