From Bedfordshire to the world: Captain Tom Moore's timeline

Today's the day. Fundraising champion Captain Tom Moore has turned 100-years-old. Leading up to big event, the World War II veteran has been walking laps of his Bedfordshire garden to raise money for NHS charities.

ITV News Anglia reporter Rebecca Haworth met him as he was beginning the challenge. A pragmatic, down-to-earth man, he told her that a mere individual like him probably wouldn't raise much money.

Well, Captain Tom's journey has been anything but down to earth. His fundraising has smashed the £30 million mark, captivated international press and been praised by the Prime minister. Not forgetting, he's also topped the UK singles chart.

Here's how Tom went from a self-proclaimed "little soul" to a national treasure.

  • April 8 - ITV News Anglia meets Captain Tom

After hearing that a plucky local veteran was doing a sponsored walk, reporter Rebecca Haworth went to visit Tom at his home. At the time, he aimed to raise £1000 to help the NHS during the pandemic.

Tom said to Rebecca: "One little soul like me won't make much difference, I hope that it does but it won't, will it?"

  • April 14-15 - Captain Tom raise millions

Much to his surprise, Tom passed the £1 million barrier by mid-morning on April 14.

By the afternoon, the total had doubled to more than £2 million. By Wednesday afternoon, over £7 million had been donated by over 340,000 supporters.

Tom was drawing praise from celebrities (e.g. comedian David Walliams, Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas) and was doing interviews with press from the likes of France and Australia.

Furthermore, eight-year-old Reegan Davies from Wales had called for children across the country to make birthday cards for Tom's 100th birthday.

  • April 16-19 - Captain Tom gets prime ministerial and royal seal of approval

On April 16, Tom completed his promised 100 laps.

At a Westminister briefing, Boris Johnson said the veteran had “captured the heart of the nation”.

The praise kept flooding in - the Duke of Cambridge penned a letter to Tom, as did Prince Charles. William also made an undisclosed contribution to Tom's fundraising total, which at that point stood at over £14 million. His brother, Prince Harry, also lauded Tom.

  • April 19 - Captain Tom scores a number one single

Tom teamed up with legendary singer Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care Choir to record a rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.

Their cover of the Liverpool FC anthem went straight in at number one on The Official Big Top 40 chart.

  • April 21 - Captain Tom opens NHS Nightingale

Tom was chosen as the official guest of honour at the opening of the NHS Nightingale Hospital, Harrogate.

The new hospital was built at Harrogate Convention Centre in order to provide extra beds for coronavirus patients. Appearing at the opening ceremony via video link, Captain Tom paid tribute to the health workers fighting coronavirus.

  • April 27 - Captain Tom gets a special postmark

Royal Mail began stamping all letters with a special postmark ahead of Tom's big day. The postmark, which will be stamped on all post up until Friday, reads: "Happy 100th Birthday Captain Thomas Moore NHS fundraising hero 30th April 2020."

The postmark will be stamped on all post up until Friday Credit: Royal Mail/PA

Meanwhile, Royal Mail said staff had already processed more than 100,000 birthday cards for Captain Moore, in part thanks to the aforementioned Reegan Davies.

  • April 29 - Captain Tom gets a train named after him

The Great Western Railway (GWR) named one of their new trains after the captain. From today, the intercity express train 800025 will carry the name 'Captain Tom Moore'.

GWR said the train will carry key workers to and from work and that members of the public requested its name.

The company even put together a special birthday tune for Tom.

  • April 30 - 100 years of Captain Tom

It's a big day for Tom, the nation and his supporters across the globe. Naturally, the centenarian has received barrels of once-in-a-lifetime gifts. For instance, he's been appointed as an honorary colonel, his local postbox has been repainted in the NHS colours and two military flypasts have taken place.

In the final month of his nineties and a challenging time for most, Captain Tom has roused the nation. Who knows what 100 will bring for him!

Captain Tom cutting his birthday cake and Marston Moretaine's new themed postbox

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