WWII vet who raised $36 million for health-care workers receives 140,000 cards for his 100th birthday

Capt. Tom Moore, the British World War II veteran who raised more than $36 million for the United Kingdom's National Health Service, is being celebrated by people around the world, with more than 140,000 well-wishers — including Queen Elizabeth II — sending him cards for his 100th birthday on Thursday.

The Bedfordshire resident raised the money for NHS Charities Together, an organization that supports the staff, patients, and facilities of the UK's publicly funded health care system, by walking 100 laps around his backyard ahead of his 100th birthday. His story went viral, and donors around the world gave to his cause.

People were so touched by his generosity that they started sending him birthday cards, and there are so many that he can't bring them all home; they are being stored at his grandson's school. Moore is also being honored by the Royal Mail, with all letters sent this week marked with a stamp commemorating his birthday, and he has been made an honorary colonel. Moore told BBC News it feels "extraordinary" to be turning 100, especially with "this many well-wishers."

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