Fundraiser extraordinaire Captain Tom Moore celebrates his 100th birthday today and last night he thanked T&A readers for helping him raise almost £30m for the NHS.

The Keighley-born old soldier – whose incredible fundraising efforts during the coronavirus pandemic have made him a national treasure – took time out to deliver a personal message to all our readers who have donated to his cause.

As he prepared to read goodwill messages in some of the 125,000 birthday cards sent by well-wishers from across the globe, Captain Tom told our readers: “I am so deeply and sincerely grateful to the tremendous British Public and especially the readers of the paper for their help. You have shown me so much love.

“When we started off with this exercise, we didn’t anticipate we’d get anything near that sort of money. It’s really amazing.”

Captain Tom, who was born in Keighley and now lives in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, hoped to raise a few thousand pounds for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.

His efforts proved an inspiration to people coming to terms with the coronavirus pandemic and donations poured in from all over the world.

With the total standing at almost £30m last night, the former Army officer, who served in Burma during the Second World War, holds the record for the largest sum ever raised in by an individual charity walk.

He also holds a second world record as the oldest person to have a number-one single in the UK charts after recording ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ with singer Michael Ball.

And he isn’t finished yet.

Looking forward, Captain Tom told us: “I’d like to say a big thank you to all the readers who have sent me birthday congratulations.

“The tremendous British Public have shown me so much love. You have repurposed and re-energised me, and for that I will be forever grateful.”

Meanwhile, a permanent tribute could be provided in Keighley to the town’s own ‘captain marvel’.

A lasting salute to Captain Tom – and others from the community who are at the forefront of the coronavirus battle – is being considered.

To coincide with his 100th birthday, a plaque – provided jointly by Airedale NHS Foundation Trust and Bradford Council – will be unveiled in his honour in the main entrance area at Airedale Hospital.

Also, congratulatory video messages featuring some of the district’s senior figures – including Keighley town mayor, Councillor Peter Corkindale – have been filmed for broadcast via social media.

There is a growing clamour for some form of permanent recognition in the town where Captain Moore was born and brought-up.

Suggestions from the public include a plaque or the naming after him of the North Street site – currently a green space – which was once home to the grammar school he attended.

Captain Tom Moore has been appointed as an honorary colonel to mark his 100th birthday.

The inspirational war veteran, who has raised more than £29 million for NHS Charities Together by walking laps of his garden, has become the honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

Chief of the General Staff General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith made the appointment, which has been approved by the Queen, in order to inspire the next generation of soldiers.

Keighley Town Council has already granted Captain Moore the Freedom of Keighley in honour of his fundraising achievements.

Jackie McGinnis, chairman and secretary of Keighley Royal British Legion, supports the idea of a permanent tribute in the town.

“Captain Moore is quite amazing and it would be fantastic to have something marking what he has done,” she said.

“As a Legion, we are extremely proud of his achievements and the fact that he is from our town.”