Sir Tom Moore’s NHS millions spent on staff 'wobble rooms' and patients' tablets

Millions of pounds raised by Captain Sir Tom Moore are being spent on everything from massage chairs in NHS staff 'wobble rooms' to tablets for patients to stay in touch with loved ones at home.

The Second World War veteran set out to raise £1,000 for the NHS by walking 100 laps before his 100th birthday on April 30.

But his campaign captured the hearts of the nation at the peak of the coronavirus epidemic and he went on to complete his 100th lap on April 16 and raise almost £33 million.

With Gift Aid, the total stands at almost £40 million.

Sir Tom, from Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire, donated it to NHS Charities Together, which raised just £400,000 in donations last year, but has been given more than £116 million during the pandemic as Britons open their wallets for frontline workers.

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The millions raised by Sir Tom have been spent on things such as meals, massage chairs and relaxation pods for hospital staff, the Times reported.

Tablets have also been purchased for patients so they can do video calls with family members and friends from their hospital bed.

Elaine Manderson, 48, lead nurse for critical care at Chelsea and Westminster hospital in west London, said cash given to the two intensive care units that she runs have has gone towards health and wellbeing areas known as 'wobble rooms' to help staff relax after a long shift.

The rooms contain massage chairs, sleep pods, kettles, microwaves and fridges.

The donations have been "incredibly uplifting", Ms Manderson said.

Sir Tom, raised in Keighley, West Yorkshire, has won worldwide praise for his effort and he has already been named as the recipient of a knighthood.

Last week, the centenarian said he was "overawed" and in disbelief to learn that he will be knighted.

He told the BBC: "I've always said: 'This won't happen', and now it appears it actually has. But I certainly was never anticipating that that letter would arrive for me.

"I'm certainly delighted and I am overawed by the fact that this has happened to me."

He joked that he hopes the Queen is "not very heavy-handed with the sword as by then I might be rather a poor old weak soul".

Prime Minister Boris Johnson recommended that Sir Tom be exceptionally honoured by the Queen, who has approved the honour, Downing Street said.

An investiture ceremony will take place at a later date, and his official title will be Captain Sir Thomas Moore.

Sir Tom said he walked the laps of his garden in the village of Marston Moretaine "with pleasure and without any hardship because as it got on and on the funds got better and better and it just went on and on".

He added: "It was absolutely totally amazing because not only was it in this country but it seemed to go throughout the world.

"It seemed to have raised the spirits of so many different countries, which was absolutely amazing and to me it was delightful."

He has thanked the public for being "so generous" and supporting a good cause, saying: "I really do thank you from the bottom of my heart because you have been absolutely outstanding.

"Never ever did I anticipate that I should get such kindness from so many people and thank you all very much."

He has also urged young people to look forward with hope, adding: "There's a future for everyone. Give everybody a little smile and see if they'll smile back.

"You have got to look forward to the fact that things will improve as they always do: things will get better and we will have a lovely golden sky and hear the larks singing again beautifully."

Sir Tom, who served in India, Burma and Sumatra during the Second World War, also recorded a charity single with Michael Ball, with their cover of You'll Never Walk Alone reaching number one.