99-Year-Old World War II Veteran Raises Millions for UK Doctors By Walking Laps In His Garden

• A 99-year-old World War II Veteran who walks laps in his garden for a fundraising campaign has raised almost $9 million for U.K. health services.
• The fundraising campaign started with a £1,000 goal for charity, but the online campaign maximized its reach after it has been set up last week.
• Capt. Tom Moore walked 82-foot laps, 10 laps per round when he started this campaign using his reliable walking frame with wheels in the hopes to complete 100 before the time he turns 100.

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Capt. Tom Moore, 99 years old, raised almost $9 million for U.K. health services in the fight against coronavirus that had affected the country. The World War II Veteran is walking laps in his garden when community lockdown takes effect in Buckinghamshire, England.

The daily briefing about the coronavirus outbreak in the United Kingdom on Wednesday started with Health Minister Matt Hancock honoring Tom’s heartwarming efforts.

“I want to pay a special tribute today to Capt. Tom Moore,” Hancock said. “At the age of 99, he’s raised over £7 million so far for NHS charities by completing 100 laps of his garden. Capt. Tom, you’re an inspiration to us all, and we thank you.”

The donation drive started with £1,000 goal, but the online campaign maximized its reach after it has been set up last week. From there, the donation poured in from hundreds of thousands of people.

Capt. Tom walks 82-foot laps, 10 laps per round when he started this campaign using his walking frame with wheels in the hopes to complete 100 before the time he turns 100.

He lives in Buckinghamshire England with his daughter and her family.

Capt. Tom was prescribed with mobility aids last year after he broke his hip, but this does not stop him from anything, says Benjie Ingram-Moore, his grandson. The family enjoys their time with the captain, cherishing every minute they get to spend with him.

“He was incredibly active,” Benjie said. “He drove his car until around a year ago, and did a lot of gardening.” Moore still drove a tractor lawnmower across the 6-acre family garden until he turned 98.

The big idea for the campaign — walking around the garden as a fundraising effort — came to the family only a weekend ago.

“He’s been walking laps of our garden for a year, which is how we spotted it as an idea and a big opportunity to raise money,” Benjie continued. “To think we started with £1,000 and it’s now past £7 million — it’s incredible, I’ve stopped being able to describe it.”

The donation drive increased its reach, now attracting attention from national media. The family is buried under the workload, fielding calls and interviews for the fundraising campaign with the captain.

“This event has been amazing for us, helping us get through the lockdown,” he added. “My parents have 20,000 emails to reply to — we haven’t been off our laptops!”

Source: ABC News