Guinness World Records: 99-year-old Tom Moore smashes fundraising record

- Coronavirus charity walk hero Tom Moore became the oldest person to top Britain's main music chart and also added a world fundraising record to his accolades

- The World War II veteran took the Guinness World Record title for the most money raised by an individual through a walk

- As of 24 April, Friday afternoon, he had collected more than £28.6 million (R656 million) for the National Health Service

- He also went to number one in music - with a little help from a friend who did the cover version of You'll Never Walk Alone that he appeared on with singer Michael Ball

- Moore, who has used a walking frame with wheels since breaking his hip, had originally hoped to raise just R23k

- But he shot past that as media attention from around the globe zoomed in on his home in Bedfordshire, central England

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99-year-old Captain Tom Moore has achieved the record title for the most money raised by charity walk (individual), raising a staggering £28 million (R656 million) on crowdfunding website JustGiving.

Briefly.co.za learnt that Tom, a WWII veteran from Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, had originally aimed to raise £1000 (R23k) for National Health Service (NHS) Charities Together.

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His aim was to complete 100 laps around his garden just before his 100th birthday; a challenge he completed on Thursday, 16 April.

However, his fundraising efforts quickly surpassed his original goal after he raised the amount in a mere 24 hours.

After that, as the donations continued to pour in, his target kept rising to the incredible sum it is today.

After breaking a record that has stood for 40 years, Captain Moore earned himself a spot in the coveted Guinness World Records book.

"Tom's remarkable efforts prove that age should never be a barrier to making a difference, to inspiring the nation or to breaking world records," Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief.

He will also be featured on the front cover of Guinness World Records 2021.

The previous record for the most money raised by a charity walk (individual) was £5.4 million at the time and £27 million, today, adjusted for inflation.

This was raised by Terry Fox of Canada, who, with a prosthetic leg, ran from St John's, Newfoundland to Thunder Bay, Ontario in 143 days in 1980.

Not only did he break his long-standing record, but on Friday, 24 April, Moore and Michael Ball (UK) officially topped the UK charts with their single You'll Never Walk Alone.

"The fact that this indomitable 99-year-old has achieved both of these things makes him truly a national hero that rightly deserves his place in the history books," the editor said.

"We are proud to be able to welcome him into the Guinness World Records family," he added

This also makes Moore the oldest person to reach number one in the UK charts at 99 years and 359 days old.

This record was previously held by Tom Jones (UK) who was 68 years, nine months old when he sang Islands in the Stream.

He sang alongside Vanessa Jenkins (aka actress Ruth Jones), Bryn West (aka actor Rob Brydon) and Robin Gibb all of them from the UK.

Also a charity single, the track topped the UK chart on 21 March, 2009.

“I feel very honoured to receive recognition from Guinness World Records. My charity walk has raised more money than I could have possibly imagined," said Moore.

"I am thankful to those who donated money and bought the single so we could achieve these records together and raise money for our incredible NHS during these difficult times," he adds

Captain Tom Moore turned 100 years old on 3 April.

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Source: Briefly News