Bedford's Captain Tom Moore inspires poem as he passes £18million mark for the NHS

A veteran has wrote a poem about Captain Tom Moore's fundraising efforts which have raised over £18million for the NHS by walking 100 lengths of his garden.

Captain Tom Moore, 99, from Marston Moretaine, has captured the nation's hearts with his fundraising, which started with a target of £1,000 for NHS Charities Together by completing 100 lengths of his back garden before he turns 100 at the end of the month.

One man from Gloucester was inspired to write a poem about the World War Two veteran.

George Ridgeon was touched by Tom's story and made a donation, hoping to help him reach the £1 million target, with Tom's fundraising not far off £20million, George has wrote a poem for Tom.

He said: "I saw the story and went to donate, I was hoping to help him reach £1million.

"As another war baby, reading what Tom has done makes me proud.

"I'm a tough guy but Tom's story brought a tear to my eye, he is amazing and has touched the hearts on a global scale and the amount he has raised is amazing and he deserves all the recognition he is getting.

"It is a great story and he has been a shining light in these uncertain times.

"I decided to write the poem to recognise what he has done."

George's poem for Captain Tom:

Allied control calling Captain Tom,

100 laps for your hundredth is it too long?

Your bravery in WWII and now for the NHS,

Has united the country, nay the world by express.

100 laps, your target £1000, is your heart pounding?

But the love you’ve inspired now 12 million it’s astounding!

In this darkest hour for humanity when we are in a swirl,

Like Jesus you have brought a light and love into the world!

Captain Tom Moore completed the 100 lengths live on BBC Breakfast yesterday (Thursday) and soldiers from 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment formed a Guard of Honour for the veteran as he completed his fundraising walk.

The soldiers from 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment – a modern-day unit with links to Tom’s former regiment – gathered at his home to congratulate him at a safe distance.

Tom’s family invited the troops to join him for his final lap in recognition of his pride in his military service.

Nine soldiers from 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, which was formed from Tom’s former regiment, surprised Tom with a Guard of Honour as he set off to complete the final stretch of his fundraising walk.

Tom served as a captain with 8th Battalion The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment during the Second World War.

To make a donation visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tomswalkforthenhs.