'CAPTAIN TOM,' 100, releases fundraising single while helping open hospital after raising $29 MILLION

Captain Tom Moore, a 99-year-old British war veteran who has raised more than $29 million for the health service by walking 100 laps of his garden, will be a guest of honor at the opening of a new field hospital next week.

Moore will praise National Health Service (NHS) workers via video link at the opening of a new "Nightingale" hospital in Harrogate, northern England, which is being set up to help deal with the coronavirus outbreak.

The World War Two veteran, who completed his challenge on Thursday, had raised 23.35 million pounds ($29.21 million) by 1606 GMT on Saturday.

Moore said he was honoured to be opening the hospital and to have the chance to thank NHS workers directly.

"I am still amazed by the amount of kindness and generosity from the UK public who continue to give despite it being an uncertain time for many," Moore said in a statement.

"I think the amount raised demonstrates just how much we all value the dedication and sacrifices made by our NHS workers. I have fought during a war, and they are now fighting in a war too."

Moore, who has used a walking frame with wheels since breaking his hip, set himself the target of walking the 25 meters around his garden 100 times before his 100th birthday on April 30.

His original target was 1,000 pounds, but that modest aim was blown away as media attention from around the globe zoomed in on his garden in Bedfordshire, central England.

The retired army captain also added another title to his belt, becoming the oldest person to top Britain’s music chart in a fundraising single with singer Michael Ball.

The cover version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" that he appears on was on course to be pipped by The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’ until the Canadian star asked his fans on Twitter to support Moore's record instead.

"What wonderful news to receive today, a No.1 single and a record breaker too – my grandchildren can’t believe I am a chart-topper,"

the 99-year-old - who turns 100 on April 30 - told BBC Radio 1's Scott Mills.

He is in the running to be Britain's "Sports Personality of the Year" and has been hailed as an "absolute legend" by Queen Elizabeth's grandson, Prince William.

He has said the walk was inspired by the care he received from Britain's state-run National Health Service when he broke his hip and when he was treated for cancer.

"On behalf of the NHS our heartfelt thanks go to Captain Tom Moore for his remarkable fundraising efforts for NHS charities, and to the public for their generosity in supporting him and our staff," Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive, said.

"Inviting Captain Moore to be our guest of honor at the opening of NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and Humber is the least we can do to thank him for his inspiring service and example, and no doubt there will be further ways in which we will be able to express our gratitude."

—Source: Reuters

A via Reuters Birthday cards for Captain Tom Moore in the Great Hall of Bedford School, Bedfordshire, where over 120,000 birthday cards sent from around the world are being opened and displayed by the staff. Captain Moore celebrates his 100th birthday on Thursday.