WATCH: Armed Forces in NI play 'birthday salute' to Captain Tom Moore as NHS appeal reaches £30 million - 14-foot mural painted at Aldergrove Flying Station to mark 100th birthday
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The appeal by NHS fundraiser Captain Tom Moore topped £30 million earlier today as he celebrated his 100th birthday.
The World War Two veteran originally set out to walk 100 laps of his garden before his milestone with a fundraising target of £1,000.
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Hide AdBut his determination captured the public imagination and at around 9.20 on Thursday, an hour after the RAF staged a flypast in his honour, he reached £30 million raised for NHS charities.
"Thank you everyone, you are all magnificent," he wrote on Twitter after reaching the total.
Earlier in a post on Facebook - the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland Facebook page says: 'The inspirational war veteran, who has raised more than £29 million for NHS Charities Together by walking laps of his garden, set out to raise £1,000 and his fundraising captured the nation’s heart during the coronavirus lockdown.
The mural was organised by Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM) Mark Smyth RLC based at Aldergrove Flying Station. WO2 Smyth said: “Having watched his amazing achievement from Captain Tom over the past few weeks and the way in which he conducted himself with great humour and enthusiasm, we wanted to pay tribute to him on his 100th birthday as a fantastic example of selfless service to the Nation.”
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Hide AdWO2 Smyth was liaising with Belfast Mural Arts on another project and approached the Company to see if they could assist. They were only too happy to oblige and created and donated the mural to the Station free of charge.
Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Chris Wood, Mercian, Commanding Officer (CO) of the NI Garrison Support Unit and Head of Establishment at Aldergrove FS, who gave permission for the mural to be installed, said: “Happy Birthday Capt Tom, on behalf of the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland. You are a gentleman, a true hero and the living embodiment of our Army Values and Standards. Many happy returns.'