Star NHS fundraiser Captain Tom's West Norfolk connection revealed

He's the NHS fundraising hero who has captured the hearts of the nation and raised more than £27 million for the NHS.

But, long before Captain Tom Moore set out to walk 100 laps of his garden ahead of his 100th birthday next week, he was a businessman who lived in West Norfolk.

He used to live at Welney with his late wife Pamela and their two daughters Hannah and Lucy.

And he is remembered fondly by Christine Wilson, from March, whose late husband Alan was among a team led by Captain Tom in a management buy-out of the former Cawoods Concrete in 1983.

Captain Tom, whose inspirational story as he walked a few laps of the garden each day at his Bedfordshire home using his walking frame has gripped the nation for the past week, joined Cawoods as manager in the very early 1980s.

He then went on to become managing director of March Concrete Products Ltd after leading the successful management buy-out with Alan Wilson, John Daisley, Leo Doyle and Mike Paxton.

Christine said: “I didn’t realise it was him at first - it took a while for the penny to drop, as we never knew he was a captain. We knew he served in the army, but he was a very modest man, he never talked about himself. It was only when I saw him with his daughter Hannah that I twigged, as she looks just like her mum.

“Tom led the management buy-out of Cawoods, which was based off Estover Road, where the bungalows are now that include Cawoods Close. We had a company launch for March Concrete Products Ltd on the Thames in London, it was a very successful company.

“In 1987 the firm was bought out by ARC but Tom ensured the workers would keep their jobs, which they did until it closed in 1992.

“We were a very close group and I was very friendly with Tom’s wife Pamela and we would get together all the time. Tom led a very happy and successful team. He was always forward thinking and very modest. He was always trying to improve the machinery and the way the products were made.

"He was a really lovely man and I’m so proud of what he has managed to achieve now - it really is incredible.

"I just wanted people to realise that we once had this hero living here and I’m sure there are some people who worked for Cawoods or March Concrete Products, who may not realise Captain Tom Moore was once their boss.”

Tom completed his 100 laps on Thursday but has decided to continue walking to “raise money for our NHS heroes, and spread some cheer around the world whilst doing so”.

To join the 1.2 million people who have already donated to Captain tom’s cause visit Justgiving.