A 99-Year-Old WWII Veteran Raises Over $17 Million For UK’s NHS By Walking 100 Laps In His Garden

Trust an Army man to know how to give back to his country! In a rather heartwarming attempt to raise funds for UK’s National Health Service (NHS), a 99-year-old World War II veteran has raised nearly $17 million by walking laps in his garden.

99-Year-Old WWII Veteran Raises Funds For UK’s NHS

Captain Tom Moore decided to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together, which collects funds for UK hospitals, including staff, volunteers and patients affected by the coronavirus crisis. So, armed with a walking frame, Moore aimed to walk 100 laps in his 25-meter long garden in Bedfordshire.

Wanting to complete the distance before turning 100 years old (on 30th April), Moore did so well ahead of time by doing 10 laps a day.

Not only did Moore smash his walking target, he also exceeded his original fundraising goal and received around $17 million in donations in just a few days.

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Moore Took On The Challenge After Undergoing Treatment At The NHS

Originally from Yorkshire in the northeast of England, Moore now lives with his daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren in Bedfordshire. He trained as a civil engineer but served as a soldier in India and Myanmar during the war.

Moore decided to take on the challenge after receiving treatment from the NHS for skin cancer and a broken hip. He also praised the healthcare workers for their “patience” and “kindness” in a TV interview.

Taking about the massive donations, Moore told BBC, “It’s a fantastic sum of money. It’s unbelievable that people have been so kind. Maybe I was responsible for starting it, but not deliberately. It was purely out of gratitude for what they’ve done for me.”