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Captain Tom Moore: RAF flypast to mark NHS fundraiser's 100th birthday

The tribute to the Second World War veteran, who has raised over 拢29m for the NHS, may include a Spitfire and a Lancaster bomber.

Tuesday 28 April 2020 21:36, UK

Retired British Army Captain Tom Moore, 99, raises money for health workers by attempting to walk the length of his garden one hundred times before his 100th birthday this month as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Marston Moretaine, Britain, April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Cziborra
Image: Captain Tom Moore has raised tens of millions of pounds for the NHS
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Captain Tom Moore's 100th birthday is to be marked by an RAF flypast, after he raised tens of millions of pounds for the NHS.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) will carry out an aerial salute on Thursday, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced.

The Second World War veteran captured the nation's hearts after raising more than £29m for the NHS by walking laps of his garden in Bedfordshire.

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Capt Tom Moore's grandson counts birthday cards

Based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, the BBMF's fleet includes six Spitfires and a Lancaster bomber.

An MoD spokesman said that, "weather permitting", the flypast would "celebrate Captain Tom's birthday and mark his amazing fundraising achievement".

He added: "The great British public is encouraged to follow Captain Tom's disciplined example and not gather to watch the flypast but continue following PHE (Public Health England) guidelines on social distancing."

Thousands of cards are being sorted at Bedford School's Great Hall
Image: Thousands of birthday cards being sorted at Bedford School's Great Hall

The timing is not being made public over fears crowds may turn up.

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Initially, there was going to be a flypast over his home by the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, which restores Spitfires.

But it was denied permission to fly by the Department for Transport because of the coronavirus lockdown, a spokesperson for the hangar said in a statement.

It added: "Getting a Spitfire overhead for Captain Tom was always the primary goal and we're thrilled that this may still be possible."

Another 拢60,000 has been donated within the cards
Image: Another 拢60,000 has been donated in the cards

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the RAF flypast meant Captain Tom would be honoured "in an even more significant way".

Captain Tom has received more than 125,000 birthday cards, with senders including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Dame Kelly Holmes and England football captain Harry Kane.

Another £60,000 has been donated within the cards, which have packed a school in Bedfordshire.

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Royal portrait artist Darren Baker has presented him with a pastel portrait of himself and a sketch of Keighley, West Yorkshire, where the 99-year-old grew up.

"We chatted for ages about Yorkshire," said Mr Baker, from Huddersfield.

"He was over the moon - his smile is as warm as his heart."

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