The War Veteran, Captain Tom Hits Number One in UK’s Billboard

Captain Tom Moore walked laps of his garden to raise money for the NHS Charities Together Funds during this COVID-19 pandemic and has become the oldest person ever to top the chart in the UK.

Thomas Moore, popularly known as Captain Tom, was a British Army officer. He served in the Burma campaign during the Second World War, and in India, Moore later became an instructor in armoured warfare. Also, he worked as managing director of a concrete company after the war and was an avid motorcycle racer.

At age 99, he had the aim of raising £1,000 by his hundredth birthday. On April 6, 2020, Captain Tom began to walk around his garden to aid NHS Charities Together Funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, and thereby, also fulfilling his aim of raising funds.

Fortunately, Moore made appearances and became so popular in the United Kingdom, making impacts in his life story after a successful walk around his garden, and had raised over £28.9 million on April 26, 2020.

However, after the walk, Captain Tom featured in a cover version of the song “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” with Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care Choir.

The proceeds of the song are going to the NHS Charities Together fund, with over 82,000 copies sold. The single hits number one in the UK music charts and made him the oldest person ever to achieve that.

“My grandchildren can’t believe I’m a chart-topper,” said Captain Tom.

Moore showed gratitude towards the public for purchasing the single, saying: “We’re in this together, and I am forever grateful for your support.

“And this just proves ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’ “

The war veteran’s birthday is April 30, 2020, which connotes he will still be topping the chart when he turns 100.

Fortunately, he will be the first centenarian to top the charts, having already broken the record for being the oldest person to reach number one.

Moore’s duet partner, Michael Ball, said the success was the most extraordinary thing and one of the proudest moments of his career.

“But it’s not about me. It’s about Capt Tom. You are the best. God bless you.”

The single was recorded to celebrate Captain Tom completing his 100th lap walk, and features a spoken word introduction from Capt Moore, who says: “Hold your head up high/And don’t be afraid of the dark.”

Lots of people, including the Duke of Cambridge, made donations to his fundraising page, with the total now approaching £30m.