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Captain Tom Moore is one of the most beloved names in the UK after he raised £29 million for the country’s National Health Service (NHS). He was shown just how much his dedication was appreciated by the public when he received 135,000 birthday cards for his 100th birthday.
Captain Tom Moore has stolen the hearts of the nation. His Grandson, Benjie Ingram-Moore, is a pupil in our Fifth Form and has been instrumental in helping his Grandad galvanise support – and what a job he has done! Photoby Emma Sohl, Capture the Light Photography pic.twitter.com/LlHgpEUIzW
— Bedford School (@BedfordSchool) April 17, 2020
Captain Moore’s fundraiser involved the World War II veteran making 100 laps of his garden as he approached his big day. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, expressed their own good wishes and gratitude for the captain’s work.
The original goal of the fundraiser was £1,000 for NHS Charities Together which is an umbrella for charities that aid COVID-19 health care workers and volunteers. Incredibly, his mission went viral and he actually raised close to a whopping £30 million.
100 years old. £29 million raised for the NHS. 135,000 birthday cards received. 160,000 cards expected in total. 30kg of stamps which will raise £600 for charity. £60,000 received in the cards. 150 volunteers. 1,750 man-hours. 200 metres of ribbon. We salute you Captain Tom! pic.twitter.com/k7F4i1ish0
— Bedford School (@BedfordSchool) April 28, 2020
The cards for Captain Morgan’s birthday filled the assembly hall of his 16-year old grandson Benjie’s school. Benjie had asked his Bedford School if they would house the cards because the local post office couldn’t handle them all.
Benjie told Sky News:
The volume of cards that have been sent to granddad is just astonishing. So many of the cards are truly heartfelt with thousands from young children who have taken the time to use their artistic talent and write a personal message. It means a lot to granddad as well as us as a family. We are hugely proud of how the nation has taken granddad to its heart. Words can’t express how much I idolise him.
Bedford School used 150 volunteers for 1,750 hours to assemble all the cards so that Captain Moore could see them all. He was overjoyed to find another £60,000 inside the cards to add to his fundraiser.
Yesterday our Great Hall was transformed into Captain Tom's Sorting Office where a team of socially-distancing staff began the mammoth task of opening the tens of thousands of 100th birthday cards sent to Captain Tom. Watch this space to see how the deliveries unfold. pic.twitter.com/UUzldrGtsy
— Bedford School (@BedfordSchool) April 22, 2020
Captain Moore’s birthday was April 30, and it looks like it was truly an amazing day.
Happy birthday, Captain Moore! We hope you had a great day!
