Tens of thousands of cards for Captain Tom's 100th birthday pile up at Northampton mail centre

Thousands of birthday cards for a war veteran who has raised millions of pounds for the NHS are piling up at a Northampton mail centre.

Captain Tom Moore made national headlines last week when he raised more than £27m after vowing to complete 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.

Now, tens of thousands of well-wishers have written cards to Captain Tom for his 100th birthday.

There have been so many that the South Midlands Mail Centre, in Swan Valley, Northampton, has had to rig its sorting system and set aside an entire collection box just for Captain Tom as if he were a town all on his own.

Stephen James, Plant Manager at Royal Mail’s South Midlands Mail Centre said: “The need to give Captain Tom his own selection on our letter sorting machine highlights just how much he has inspired the public with his efforts.

"None of the team have ever known one person to receive so much mail."

So far, the mail centre has processed more than 25,000 cards ahead of the veteran's 100th birthday on April 30, and thousands more are expecting to arrive before then.

Gareth Eales, Area Rep for the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents postal workers said: "Captain Tom has been an inspiration to us all. Postal workers, of course, have kept going throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Our members will not only be collecting, sorting and delivering Captain Tom's birthday cards, but keeping every household in this country connected.

"This is a time for heroes, which Captain Tom and all 'key workers' certainly are."

When Captain Tom set out on his fundraising effort, he set an initial goal of only £1,000.

This was broken in just 24 hours, and as of April 20 the veteran has raised more than £27m for NHS charities.

David Gold, Head of Public Affairs at Royal Mail said: “What Captain Thomas Moore has achieved is truly phenomenal, reflected in the affection shown for him across the world.

"As Royal Mail works to keep the country connected during these times, we are honoured to be delivering so many cards to Captain Tom for his 100th birthday. We would like to extend our own best wishes and congratulations to him from everyone at Royal Mail.”