His incredible birth month efforts also secured the 100 year old two Guinness World Records: as the fundraiser raising the greatest amount of money in an individual charity walk, and as the oldest person to have a number-one single on the UK charts. Within the month of April, Captain Tom’s life totally changed.
Cementing himself as a national – and global – hero, Captain Tom was made an honorary colonel by the Ministry of Defence, and received a special nomination for a knighthood by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. A nomination which was quickly approved by Queen Elizabeth II.
By July 17th, Captain Tom became Captain Sir Tom, in a unique and socially distanced knighthood ceremony. Joined by his daughter, son-in-law, grandson and granddaughter, the 100 year old was knighted by the Queen in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle, with the Queen chatting with the Second World War veteran for several minutes.
The centenarian’s achievements haven’t stopped there though. By September he had published a Sunday Times No 1 Bestseller autobiography, “Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day: My Autobiography”. It was then announced that the veteran and Knight Bachelor would have a biopic made about his impressive life. The feature film, which has been fast tracked for production in 2021 will be produced by the UK’s Fred Films and Powder Keg Pictures.
Producers James Spring, Nick Moorecroft and Meg Leonard have said that they feel honoured to be able to tell his inspiring story.
“This is a story about the power of the human spirit and Captain Sir Tom personifies that,” Moorcroft and Leonard said in a statement.
“We are honoured to be telling this unique and inspiring story and are excited about audiences getting to know the man behind the headlines.”
“At a time of fear and uncertainty, 161 countries around the world embraced the beacon of hope that Captain Sir Tom provided. We are privileged that Tom and his family have entrusted us to tell their story,” said Spring.
As of this month, Captain Sir Tom has shown no signs of slowing down. Not only has he published his second book with Penguin, an illustrated children’s book titled “One Hundred Steps: The Story of Captain Sir Tom Moore”, but he also became record breaker once again.
As part of a national campaign to battle loneliness among older people, the 100 year old has become the UK’s oldest podcaster. The podcast, titled “The Originals” is being produced in conjunction with the charity Age UK and chocolate brand Cadbury. The campaign is hoping to inspire people to “donate your words” by having meaningful conversations with an older person.
“My mission is simple but important,” said Sir Tom.
“I hope The Originals podcast will help encourage everyone to start a proper conversation with an older person. We truly are the originals and we have more in common than you may think – we have hundreds of amazing tales just waiting to be told.”
Sir Tom’s first interviewees include a 79 year old writer and art collector who shared a kiss with Elvis Presley, an 83 year old bodybuilder who continues to lift weights three times a week, and a 73 year old investigative journalist who has been writing about climate change for over 50 years.
Asking them about things like their lives after 70 or what life lessons they’d pass on, the podcast hopes to create a culture around talking to older people about their long and storied lives.
“We are hearing through our advice lines that since the outbreak many older people are feeling anxious, depressed and lonely,” said Laurie Boult, the fundraising director at Age UK.
“The effects of loneliness can be devastating; we know it is a threat to our physical and mental health, and that it can also increase the risk of developing dementia.
“It’s so hard for many older people to stay connected at the moment, especially if they live alone, and we’re delighted to be working with Cadbury and Capt Tom on this campaign to raise awareness of this heart-breaking issue.”
You can find Sir Tom’s podcast, The Originals, now on Spotify.
Image Source: Captain Tom Moore via Twitter @captaintommoore
Back in April of this year, we began hearing the name “Captain Tom”. At the time, the then 99 year old was embarking on a mission. Aiming to complete 100 laps of his 25 metre yard by his 100th birthday, the ex captain of the British Army was also hoping to raise £1000 for the National Health Service (NHS).
Within four days, his fundraising goal was met, and raised to £5000, before later being raised again to £500,000. As he continued his laps around his garden, completing ten a day with the help of his trusty walker, he achieved his walking goal in just ten days. Bolstered by the support of the community and the world, he decided to keep going, working towards completing another hundred laps.
As the world in lockdown watched on, Captain Tom inspired everyone with his simple message; “tomorrow will be a good day”.
By his 100th birthday on April 30th, just 24 days since the mission began, Captain Tom Moore had raised over £30 million pounds for the NHS.
But the centenarian’s impressive achievements don’t stop there. During his incredible fundraising efforts, Sir Tom became a number one chart topper, with his single, a cover of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” featuring Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care choir. The charity single became the fastest selling single of 2020, with a whopping 82,000 units, knocking The Weekend’s “Blinding Lights” off the top spot.
“My grandchildren can’t believe I am a chart-topper,” he said at the time, thanking Michael Ball and the choir, along with all those who made the single possible, and the community for purchasing the track.
“We’re in this together, and I am forever grateful for your support. And this just proves: you’ll never walk alone,” he said.
His incredible birth month efforts also secured the 100 year old two Guinness World Records: as the fundraiser raising the greatest amount of money in an individual charity walk, and as the oldest person to have a number-one single on the UK charts. Within the month of April, Captain Tom’s life totally changed.
Cementing himself as a national – and global – hero, Captain Tom was made an honorary colonel by the Ministry of Defence, and received a special nomination for a knighthood by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. A nomination which was quickly approved by Queen Elizabeth II.
By July 17th, Captain Tom became Captain Sir Tom, in a unique and socially distanced knighthood ceremony. Joined by his daughter, son-in-law, grandson and granddaughter, the 100 year old was knighted by the Queen in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle, with the Queen chatting with the Second World War veteran for several minutes.
The centenarian’s achievements haven’t stopped there though. By September he had published a Sunday Times No 1 Bestseller autobiography, “Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day: My Autobiography”. It was then announced that the veteran and Knight Bachelor would have a biopic made about his impressive life. The feature film, which has been fast tracked for production in 2021 will be produced by the UK’s Fred Films and Powder Keg Pictures.
Producers James Spring, Nick Moorecroft and Meg Leonard have said that they feel honoured to be able to tell his inspiring story.
“This is a story about the power of the human spirit and Captain Sir Tom personifies that,” Moorcroft and Leonard said in a statement.
“We are honoured to be telling this unique and inspiring story and are excited about audiences getting to know the man behind the headlines.”
“At a time of fear and uncertainty, 161 countries around the world embraced the beacon of hope that Captain Sir Tom provided. We are privileged that Tom and his family have entrusted us to tell their story,” said Spring.
As of this month, Captain Sir Tom has shown no signs of slowing down. Not only has he published his second book with Penguin, an illustrated children’s book titled “One Hundred Steps: The Story of Captain Sir Tom Moore”, but he also became record breaker once again.
As part of a national campaign to battle loneliness among older people, the 100 year old has become the UK’s oldest podcaster. The podcast, titled “The Originals” is being produced in conjunction with the charity Age UK and chocolate brand Cadbury. The campaign is hoping to inspire people to “donate your words” by having meaningful conversations with an older person.
“My mission is simple but important,” said Sir Tom.
“I hope The Originals podcast will help encourage everyone to start a proper conversation with an older person. We truly are the originals and we have more in common than you may think – we have hundreds of amazing tales just waiting to be told.”
Sir Tom’s first interviewees include a 79 year old writer and art collector who shared a kiss with Elvis Presley, an 83 year old bodybuilder who continues to lift weights three times a week, and a 73 year old investigative journalist who has been writing about climate change for over 50 years.
Asking them about things like their lives after 70 or what life lessons they’d pass on, the podcast hopes to create a culture around talking to older people about their long and storied lives.
“We are hearing through our advice lines that since the outbreak many older people are feeling anxious, depressed and lonely,” said Laurie Boult, the fundraising director at Age UK.
“The effects of loneliness can be devastating; we know it is a threat to our physical and mental health, and that it can also increase the risk of developing dementia.
“It’s so hard for many older people to stay connected at the moment, especially if they live alone, and we’re delighted to be working with Cadbury and Capt Tom on this campaign to raise awareness of this heart-breaking issue.”
You can find Sir Tom’s podcast, The Originals, now on Spotify.
Image Source: Captain Tom Moore via Twitter @captaintommoore
