AS THE nation has been following the heartwarming story of Captain Tom Moore, who bid to raise money for the NHS by walking laps of his garden, his Reading-based daughter has been 'bursting' with pride.
On April 6, the 99-year-old Second World War veteran set out to walk 100 laps of his garden in Bedfordshire before his 100th birthday on April 30.
His initial target was to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together – a target that he has smashed as the donations currently stand at more than £28 million.
Captain Tom's daughter Lucy Teixeira said she "just can't believe what has happened" following her father's fundraising.
She told BBC Breakfast: "My heart is bursting. Well done, Daddy.
"I'm having to get used to the thought of sharing you with millions and millions of people."
While her son said he was "speechless" about his grandfather's achievements.
Max Teixeira said: "We're just shocked and proud of him beyond belief."
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Ms Teixeira said her father had "bought a running machine back in the winter and he was determined", adding: "He has had that determination all his life.
"Because he had that running machine and he was walking through the winter, and then the sun came out and he then was starting to walk up and down my sister's drive, this created strength and fitness and his desire to keep moving at 99."
The fundraising page reads: "Captain Tom Moore is aiming to walk a hundred lengths of the back garden(which is 25m in length) before he is 100 years old at the end of the month.
"On Thursday, April 16, Captain Tom Moore completed his final 10 laps out of his 100.
"Tom is going to continue to walk, raise money for our NHS heroes, and spread some cheer around the world whilst doing so."
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