Captain Sir Tom Moore gives message of hope to Yorkshire students after receiving honorary doctorate

The centenarian Captain Sir Tom Moore, who inspired millions of people around the world by completing 100 laps of his garden using a walking frame to raise money for charity, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Bradford.

Keighley-born Captain Sir Tom was awarded the honorary degree for his service to the community during the Covid-19 pandemic, and in recognition of being an outstanding role model to people in the Bradford community and around the UK.

Speaking about receiving his honorary doctorate award, he said: "I’m delighted to have been awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of the University of Bradford. Thank you for your kind words referring to me as a great role model for Keighley and for the City of Bradford."

The veteran, who took part in the Battle of Ramree Island, as part of the Burma campaign, during the Second World War, was unable to accepted the recognition from the Yorkshire university in person this week, due to shielding and the coronavirus restrictions on campus, but he will be presented with his doctorate via a virtual ceremony on December 16.

On accepting his award he offered up a message of hope to students.

He said: "To all your students who are graduating and right at the beginning of their careers - remember to have hope in your hearts. I understand times have been challenging recently but they have done so well and I am very excited for what lies ahead for them.

"As I always say ‘Tomorrow will be a good day’ and for them that will certainly be the case, I’m sure."

Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, said she was honoured to be able to bestow the award on Captain Sir Tom, whose actions she said have been "truly inspirational".

She said: "His selfless work championing education and equality mirror our own core values and we’re proud to be associated with him and the legacy he and his family have now created."

From his garden to national treasure

The 100-year-old veteran, who attended Keighley Grammar School before training as a civil engineer and enlisting in the Army during the Second World War, had set out to raise £1,000 from his lockdown challenge but his efforts struck a chord and donations flooded in, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying he “provided us all with a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus”.

Since setting off on the first lap of his Bedfordshire garden back when lockdown began, Captain Sir Tom Moore has raised £33m, become a knight, a poster child for Yorkshire and even received the freedom of his Yorkshire home town.

He had originally wanted to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together to thank staff who had helped his recovery from cancer and a broken hip - but instead, became a national treasure. He was knighted by the Queen at Windsor Castle in July, became an honorary freeman of Keighley, and an honorary member of Welcome to Yorkshire on Yorkshire Day this year.

In September Capt Sir Tom and his family officially launched The Captain Tom Foundation. The money will be used to combat loneliness, supporting people facing bereavement and to champion education and equality. Charities which will benefit include Mind, The Royal British Legion, Helen and Douglas House and Willen Hospice.

Capt Sir Tom added: "I never dreamt that this could happen.

"The overwhelming generosity of people during a period of darkness has shown the resilience and caring people are capable of during a time when there was anguish and instability.

"After all that we have achieved over the last few months, and with the world still in recovery, it made sense to us to create a legacy."

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Thank you

James Mitchinson