Recognition for his outstanding fundraising efforts as he turns 100

Fundraiser Tom Moore has been made a colonel to celebrate becoming a centenarian today.

The war veteran who raised £30m for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden, has been made an honorary colonel on his 100th birthday.

The occasion has also been marked with an RAF flypast and birthday greetings from the Queen and prime minister.

Capt Tom, who was recently treated for a broken hip and skin cancer, initially aimed to rise £1,000 and said he set about raising the money "for the sake of the nurses and the NHS we have, because they are doing such a magnificent job".

His donations page will close at midnight but Capt Tom said people could still donate directly to the charity via their urgent appeal.

He said: “"I really am honoured by that and although I can't use it in public it really is something special to be able to say honorary colonel," he said.

"I'm still Captain Tom, that's who I really am but if people choose to call me colonel, well, thank you very much!"

His efforts have been credited for rejuvenating fundraising in the UK after the sector was hit by an unprecedented crisis from the coronavirus lockdown.

It has led to thousands of indoor and garden challenges being undertaken, raising millions for the charity sector across the UK.