A FORMER Skipton army cadet played a major part in Covid hero Colonel Tom Moore's 100th birthday celebrations as the Second World War veteran raised over £32 million for NHS charities.

On his birthday on April 30, Captain Tom, originally from Keighley, was promoted to the rank of Colonel by the head of the Army, General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, after The Queen gave royal assent to the honour. The promotion was detailed in a letter from the Chief of the General Staff, which was presented by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Miller, Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.

Lt Colonel 'Badger' Miller, began his army career as a member of the Skipton Army Cadets when he was 13 years old. He is the son of former Earby GP, Dr Paul Miller and his wife Ann and was a pupil at Thornton-in-Craven primary school before moving to Park High School in Colne.

During the celebrations Lt Colonel Miller also presented Colonel Tom with a replacement of the Second World War Defence Medal, together with the Yorkshire Regiment Medal from current officers. He also received a cake made by Betty's of Harrogate complete with the Regimental Crest and supplies of beer from Timothy Taylor's Keighley brewery.

During WWII Major Moore was a member of the 8th Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment, serving in India and the Burma campaign. He was also later an armoured warfare instructor.

In 2006 the Duke of Wellington's Regiment became part of the Yorkshire Regiment.

Although Colonel Tom Moore closed his JustGiving account at midnight on his birthday after raising £32,796,410, he has decided he will not stop walking and has set himself a new target of walking 200 laps of his garden.