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Duchess of Cornwall says Captain Tom Moore makes her 'proud to be British'

The Duchess of Cornwall has praised the fundraising efforts of Captain Tom Moore as he hit £31m on his 100th birthday.

Camilla, 72, was speaking earlier in the week on a Zoom call with Dame Darcey Bussell and Angela Rippon when she praised the Second World War veteran’s efforts.

She said: “That wonderful man, Capt Tom, walking around and raising all that money – that sort of thing makes you proud to be British, doesn’t it.”

Camilla had been speaking about her experience of lockdown as she became vice-patron of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD).

Clarence House released her praise of Capt Moore on Thursday to mark his 100th birthday.

Earlier this month, Prince William dubbed the centenarian an “absolute legend” and Kensington Palace confirmed he had made an undisclosed donation to the efforts.

Capt Moore has captured the nation’s hearts with his fundraising, which began as an effort to raise £1,000 by walking 100 laps in his garden by his 100th birthday on 30 April.

At about 9.20am on Thursday, an hour after the RAF staged a flypast in his honour, he reached £31m raised for NHS charities.

“Thank you everyone, you are all magnificent,” he wrote on Twitter after reaching the total.

He has received thousands of cards from well-wishers, and a birthday message from the prime minister, whose new son was just a day away from sharing the captain’s birthday.

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He was also promoted to honorary colonel.

Capt Tom said: “Reaching 100 is quite something. Reaching 100 with such interest in me and huge generosity from the public is very overwhelming.

“People keep saying what I have done is remarkable, however it’s actually what you have done for me which is remarkable.

“I felt a little frustrated and disappointed after I broke my hip and it knocked my confidence.

“However, the past three weeks have put a spring back in my step. I have renewed purpose and have thoroughly enjoyed every second of this exciting adventure, but I can’t keep walking forever.”

MARSTON MORETAINE, ENGLAND - In this handout image provided by Capture the Light Photography, Colonel Tom Moore and his daughter Hannah celebrate his 100th birthday, with an RAF flypast provided by a Spitfire and a Hurricane over his home on April 30, 2020 in Marston Moretaine, England. Colonel Moore, formerly a Captain, received a promotion in honour of his 100th birthday and in recognition of the funds, in excess of £29m, he raised for the NHS by walking laps of his garden. (Emma Sohl - Capture the Light Photography via Getty Images)
Capt Tom Moore and his daughter Hannah celebrate his 100th birthday, with an RAF flypast provided by a Spitfire and a Hurricane over his home. (Getty)

Capt Moore’s donations page, which is raising money for NHS Charities Together, will close on Thursday evening.

Chief executive Ellie Orton said: “Captain Tom’s incredible dedication to our appeal has captured the hearts and minds of the UK, and rightly so – what he has achieved will make a lasting difference.

“We cannot thank him enough for all that he’s achieved and we wish him a very happy birthday, and look forward to continuing to ensure that what he’s done is used to improve the lives of the NHS staff and volunteers that are giving so much to their communities at the moment.”

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