Port-Talbot schoolgirl raises thousands of pounds by making cards for Captain Tom Moore

An eight-year-old schoolgirl has rallied children across the UK to make 100th birthday cards for a World War Two veteran who has raised millions for the NHS.

Reegan Davies, from Port Talbot, says she wanted to give something back. "He's a war hero and now he's my hero, and the nation's hero", she said.

In an appeal on social media she asked people to make a 100th birthday card for Tom and to share their creation on social media, setting a target of 1,500 virtual submissions.

The World War Two veteran set out to walk 100 laps of his garden before his birthday on Thursday and set an initial target of £1,000.

His fundraising efforts have since taken off and made him into a cult celebrity figure, and he has continued to walk laps of his garden and raise more money during the coronavirus pandemic.

A Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast of a Spitfire and a Hurricane has been organised by the RAF to mark Capt Moore’s birthday, and he has been appointed as an honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College.

After raising more than £3,000 for Captain Tom's fundraising efforts, Reegan says she just wanted to thank him for his amazing efforts.

"He's turning 100 and he's raising a lot of money for our NHS", Reegan told ITV Cymru Wales.

"We made #cardfortom and then it went viral all over social media. I wanted to raise money for Tom because he's got a fundraising page so we're raising money to give to Tom to help him raise more money."

"The world is more positive now because the world was down because of covid-19 and now everyone is brightened up because of Tom and its brought everyone together".

Reegan has organised the collection of more than 2,000 cards.

"All the nation really think he's a good man and he must be proud of himself because we're all very proud of him", Reegan added.