Colonel Tom Moore shares heartfelt birthday message as he turns 100
He's been made an honorary Colonel
Last updated 30th Apr 2020
Captain Tom Moore, who has now been made an honorary Colonel as he turns 100 today (30th April), has raised over £30 million for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden.
The inspirational pensioner, who originally set out to raise £1000 for charity, captured the hearts of the nation and has shared this message with his supporters.
'Reaching 100 is quite something. Reaching 100 with such interest in me and huge generosity from the public is very overwhelming.
'People keep saying what I have done is remarkable, however it’s actually what you have done for me which is remarkable.
'I felt a little frustrated and disappointed after I broke my hip and it knocked my confidence. However, the past three weeks have put a spring back in my step. I have renewed purpose and have thoroughly enjoyed every second of this exciting adventure, but I can’t keep walking forever.
'The donations page will close at midnight this evening. NHS Charities Together still have their urgent appeal, so people can donate to them that way.
'I am going to spend my birthday with my family, both here in person and with my daughter remotely, and then I am going to have a few days’ rest. My legs may be tired, but my mind is racing and I’m hoping to be back very soon with other ways in which I can help people, help others.
'Please always remember, Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day."
'With my sincerest gratitude,
'Captain Tom Moore'
Donate to Captain Tom Moore's 100th Birthday Walk for the NHS
Ahead of his birthday, thousands of birthday cards have been sent to the Army veteran. The cards are now being displayed at Bedford School, where his grandson, Benjie is a fifth former.
Speaking about her dad's amazing accomplishment, Hannah Ingram-Moore, said,
"I want to look the great British and overseas Public in the eye; I sincerely want you to know that for all the joy, hope and inspiration my father has given you; you have reenergised him and given him renewed purpose. Watching him talking and engaging with all of you, has been one of the most joyous things in my life. I cannot thank you enough."
Colonel Tom became a national hero earlier this month after raising over £30 million for NHS Charities, with money from around the world being donated, even causing the Just Giving website to crash due to the amount of people visiting it.
After completing his initial 100 laps, the army veteran, who was posted to India in the Second World War, continued to walk up and down his garden. The pensioner said that as long as the donations kept coming in he would carry on walking.
Happy Birthday Colonel Tom!
Now take a look at what vegetables you can grow from kitchen scraps:
Potatoes
In the past you might have cut off the eyes that have been growing on a potato, but now is the time for them to come into their own!
Using a knife, rather than a peeler, cut off a potato eye with a bit of potato underneath. Pop the scraps into some soil, about 10 cm deep and wait a few weeks.
Each eye will produce a number of potatoes so you're best off planting these in a bucket, or directly into your garden.
Avocados
This popular superfood can be grown from its large seed, however don't be under any illusion, it will take a long time!
If you want to give it a go, take out the stone and suspend it in a glass of water with toothpicks.
Make sure you keep the glass in a warm place out of direct sunlight, and as mentioned be patient. It can take around six weeks to see a stem and roots! When the leaves appear it's time to transfer to soil.
Lettuce
Although it might be tempting to throw away the bottom of a lettuce or cabbage, when you cut the leaves off, DON'T throw away the base!
You can grow more leaves, just put the base in water for a few days, once it starts to grow its own roots and extra leaves pop it in some soil and continue to water it regularly - but don't overwater it.
Celery
Similar to lettuce and cabbage you can grow celery from its base.
After you've cut off the top of the celery, put the base into a bowl of warm water in daylight. After about a week, roots and new shoots should start of appear, this is the time you should replant into soil.
Onions
Similar to lettuce and celery, you can grown onions if you leave around 1cm from the base and place in soil.
Spring onions and leeks
As above, save the base of spring onions or leeks and pop them into a glass of water. After a few days you'll get to see some roots appear along with new growth from above.
Then, after a couple of weeks of growth, replant in soil.
Tomatoes
Save the seeds from a tomato, rinse and then dry them out on a kitchen roll.
Once they're dry you can plant them out into rich compost and after a short time seedlings should start to grow.
Keep your seedings inside or in a greenhouse until the weather gets warmer.
Carrots
You can grow carrots from their tops! Cut around 1cm from the top and place in water.
After a week or so they should start to develop more leaves, once a few leaves have grown plant into soil covering the top of the carrot completely.
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