TRAIN operator Great Western Railway (GWR) is to name a train in honour of the veteran who has raised more than £29 million for the NHS to mark his 100th birthday.

GWR Intercity Express Train 800025 will pay tribute to Captain Tom Moore and his remarkable fundraising achievements during the Covid-19 crisis.

It is being named in response to requests from both GWR colleagues and members of the public, re-entering service on Thursday, April, 30, 2020 – the date of Captain Tom’s 100th birthday.

READ ALSO: Reading responds to B&Q reopening.

Reading Chronicle:

World War Two veteran Captain Tom, from Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire has extended his challenge to 200 laps after he completed the first 100 laps 14 days ahead of schedule.

His initial £1,000 fundraising target was broken in about 24 hours and he has now raised more than £29m for NHS Charities Together.

The veteran’s daughter, Lucy Teixeira, lives in Reading and said she "just can't believe what has happened" following her father's fundraising.

READ MORE: Captain Tom Moore's daughter, from Reading, speaks about her father.

GWR Interim Managing Director Matthew Golton said: “With his indomitable spirit what Captain Tom has achieved is truly inspirational, and an example to us all.

“We at Great Western have a long history of naming trains after Great Westerners, the past and present heroes from across our network, and I am honoured that today we can respond to requests to have a train named after Captain Tom Moore.”

The Class 800 Intercity Express Train will go into service carrying its new name on Thursday and will carry key workers travelling to and from work on the Great Western network.

Reading Chronicle:

Following Government advice against all non-essential travel, GWR is operating a reduced timetable.

The focus remains on running services that can be relied on at this time of uncertainty, providing essential transport for key workers to get to and from work.