'I fought during a war and they are now fighting in a war too': Captain Tom Moore is asked to open Nightingale hospital in his native Yorkshire as he scores a Number One charity single and fundraising passes £25million (4 Pics)

Captain Tom Moore has been invited to open the Nightingale hospital in his native Yorkshire after he raised £25million for the NHS.

The Second World War hero will appear via video-link at the hospital next week to praise the efforts of doctors and nurses and say he has been 'amazed by the kindness and generosity of the UK public' .

The 99-year-old pensioner and former tank commander captured the nation's heart after announcing he would walk 100 lengths of his garden to raise £1,000 for the health service. He completed the walk ahead of schedule - on Thursday - and raised millions.

Captain Moore then joined forces with singer Michael Ball for a charity rendition of 1945 classic You'll Never Walk Alone, which has shot to the top of iTunes UK.

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It has pipped Vera Lynn's stirring rendition of We'll Meet Again to the top spot, which was referenced by the Queen in her message to the nation. 

Captain Tom Moore will praise the efforts of doctors and nurses when he opens the hospital via video-link next week. He is currently receiving an hourly salute in Piccadilly Circus, London, for his efforts to raise money for the NHS

The Queen's message to the nation is also displayed on the board in Piccadilly Circus, London

The 99-year-old war veteran is raising millions for NHS Charities Together amid the coronavirus pandemic, after initially expecting to raise just £1,000 by completing 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday

At the opening of NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and Humber next week, in the Harrogate Convention Centre, he will say: 'I think the amount raised demonstrates just how much we all value the dedication and sacrifices made by our NHS workers. 

'I have fought during a war and they are now fighting in a war too. 

He will add: 'I'm honoured to be opening the NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and Humber and to get to thank many of the NHS workers directly.

'I know that having extra beds available for the sick, if needed will be reassuring to those workers, as it would have been to me when I was on the front line.'

The £25million raised so far by Captain Moore will buy food parcels and counselling sessions for NHS staff as well as electronic tablets to let patients talk to their loved ones.

The chairman of NHS Charities Together, Ian Lush, said its around 160 members had already received £35,000 each, with the money covering staff well-being and helping patients and their families.

Mr Lush told the BBC: 'For example we're paying for extra counselling for staff because they're going through a really traumatic time, we're paying for food packages, for well-being packs they can pick up after a shift and take home so they don't have to worry about shopping.

Captain Tom Moore's charity single, a collaboration with singer Michael Ball, has gone straight to the top of the UK iTunes chart

'And for patients things like electronic tablets they can use in the wards, we're paying for extra WiFi as well, so they can communicate with their loved ones who aren't able to visit them. And that's making a real difference too.'

Talking about conversations with frontline staff, he said: 'They were also the people who came to us and said "It's tragic that these patients, sometimes at the end of their lives, can't talk to their families, if you can get us some tablets to have on the wards and pay for better WiFi then we can arrange for them to at least see their families and communicate with them".'

'So that very much came from the front line.'

Sir Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive, said Captain Moore would be 'guest of honour' at the opening of the hospital.

'(It's) the least we can do to thank him for his inspiring service and example,' he said. 'And no doubt there will be further ways in which we will be able to express our gratitude.' 

'Just like the amazing campaign Captain Moore has inspired, the Nightingales are a symbol of how people have come together as part of a nationwide effort to prepare - should they be needed now or in the months to come - for the greatest global health emergency in more than a century.' 

Captain Tom has been raising money for NHS Charities Together to help frontline medics battle the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed 14,576 in the UK.  

After capturing the hearts of the nation, Captain Tom joined forces with Ball to create their own uplifting version of You'll Never Walk Alone.

The pair recorded the duet of the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein tune, which has become an anthem for medical staff during the pandemic, featuring the NHS Voices of Care Choir.

The song was instigated after Ball spoke to Captain Moore on BBC Breakfast and was recorded within 24 hours 

The track has a spoken work introduction from Captain Moore, where he says: 'Hold your head up high and don't be afraid of the dark.'

It has already climbed to the top of the iTunes chart ahead of the Second World War veteran's 100th birthday on April 30.