99-Year-Old WW2 Vet Raises $17 Million for Health Services

Tom Moore started walking laps in his garden as part of his recovery after breaking his hip. The 99 year old British war Veteran wanted to pay back the "kindness" the healthcare workers had shown him. So, he enlisted his family's help to raise money by walking laps around his garden. Tom had to use a walking chair to conquer 100 laps around his garden, which was 25 meters (82 feet) long. However, Tom would soldier on to his goal.The expectation was 100 laps and to hopefully raise £1000 pounds($1,244.84 USD). However, Tom's quiet resolve inspired much of the country to rally behind him. Currently, Moore has raised over £14,000,000 for workers in the United Kingdom's National Health Service. Veterans, public figures, and even the London Underground Metro has taken to social media to show their support. Many have seen Tom as a symbol of The U.K.'s resiliency and ability to "keep calm and carry on." That phrase was first used as a government slogan to encourage the people who still worked during bombing raids on London, and other cities.“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,” Tom said to the BBC.

Tom Moore's military service

Moore served as a Captain in the British military. He was posted in India and Myanmar during World War II. Firstly, as a civil engineer, then Moore became an officer in 1940. He saw action and fought on the historic coastal region of Arakan. After leaving Myanmar, he became an instructor at Armoured(sic) Fighting Vehicle School in Bovington.On Twitter, the WWII veteran said that he was “blown away by the Great British public and their generosity.”731,131 individual donors have given to the NHS Charities Together fundraiser. Captain Tom Moore turns 100 at the end of the month, and wanted to laps to coincide with his birthday. Now a petition has begun encouraging the Queen of England to grant Tom Moore a knighthood. At the very least, this man deserves a beer!Keep checking back to American Grit for more!