Petition calling for Bedford's Captain Tom Moore to be knighted reaches over 800,000 signatures as fundraising total tops £26million

An online petition calling for Captain Tom Moore, who has now raised over £26million for the NHS, to be knighted - now has over 800,000 signatures.

Captain Tom Moore, from Marston Moretaine, completed his walk on Thursday morning live on BBC Breakfast and he has raised just over £26.6million for the NHS - over 5000% above the target.

The 99-year-old veteran wanted to walk 100 lengths of his garden before he turns 100 at the end of the month.

Tom has touched the hearts of the nation and his efforts have been a shining light for many during the coronavirus pandemic.

The online petition to get Captain Tom Moore knighted currently has 858,772 of the 100,000.The petition, on Change.org, says: "This amazing motivational hero deserves to be awarded a knighthood. World War Two veteran Tom Moore who is walking 100 lengths of his back garden before his 100th birthday has already raised nearly £13 million for the NHS in just one week and the amount is still growing.

"Tom Moore, stated the NHS have been ‘marvellous’ in helping him recover from both a hip replacement and skin cancer on his head over the last couple of years.

"As a way of saying thank you, the former civil engineer has been doing daily laps of his 25-metre long garden, with the aim of walking 100 lengths by his 100th birthday on April 30.

"As a NHS midwife, I know how much his fundraising and support means on the ground. And how much it means to staff during this awful pandemic. He deserves to be knighted. Please sign to make it happen."

To sign the petition visit: www.change.org/p/war-hero-tom-moore-aged-99-to-be-knighted-captaintommoore.