Record-breaking NHS fundraiser, Captain Tom Moore, will get the ultimate ‘salute’ for his 100th birthday with a flypast courtesy of the Royal Air Force.
The WWII veteran will be celebrating his 100th birthday tomorrow (the 30th of April) after receiving over 130k birthday cards from wellwishers around the world.
Capt Moore has raised £30 million for a charity that represents a consortium of different NHS charities, which will be tasked with providing support to the frontline healthcare professionals who have been treating thousands of COVID-19 patients.
The veteran decided that, rather than sitting back and doing nothing during the lockdown, he would walk 100 laps of his garden to raise money for the men and women who serve in the NHS.
His initial target was only £1000 but as his charity walk attracted more publicity, the amount he raised skyrocketed to just under £30m.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps stated on Twitter that the aerial salute was “meant to be a surprise for Tom”, but confirmed it would be happening after it emerged that his department rejected an earlier plan for a flypast organised by a Spitfire restoration company.
Capt Moore has already been given a ‘Pride of Britain Award’, and his supporters have called for him to be knighted in recognition of the inspirational role he has played during the national emergency.
Kent’s Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar had organised a birthday flypast for Captain Moore involving a rare Mark 9 Spitfire named ‘The Spirit Of Kent’.
But on Monday the organisation revealed that it had been denied permission for the flight by the Department for Transport.
The firm said the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), which is based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and includes six Spitfires, is “not bound by the same restrictions”.
It added: “It is our understanding that they are now picking up the baton to provide a flypast for Captain Tom.
“Getting a Spitfire overhead for Captain Tom was always the primary goal, and we’re thrilled that this may still be possible.
“We wish the BBMF team the very best of luck and hope that the weather permits a flypast on the 30th of April.”
If you would like to help support our in-house team of former emergency services, NHS and armed forces personnel, then please consider becoming a donor.
With ad revenue continually fluctuating, we need the help of our readers and supporters to ensure that we can continue to bring you the stories which matter in a non-biased and non-inflammatory way.
Our Editor & Founder will send a personal email to donors, thanking them for their generosity.
Before you go...
WE NEED YOUR HELP. As former emergency services & armed forces personnel, we pride ourselves on bringing you important, fast-moving and breaking news stories & videos which are free from the negative 'anti' bias which is often directed at the emergency services & NHS by some sections of the mainstream media.
One of the reasons we started 'Emergency Services News' back in 2018 was because we became tired of reading badly informed stories about the emergency services.
We want to be the unheard voice of the remarkable men and women who serve in the emergency services, NHS and armed forces. And with around 500k page views each month, we are getting there!
As income from ads, the mainstay source of income for most publishers, continues to decline; we need the help of you, our readers.
You can support emergency services news from as little as £1. It only takes a minute. Every contribution, however big or small, is vital for our future.
Please help us to continue to highlight the life-saving work of the emergency services, NHS and armed forces by becoming a supporter.
