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A quarter of the money raised during the pandemic came from Captain Tom Moore, a WW2 veteran who set out to raise £1,000 by doing laps of his garden ahead of his 100th birthday. His fundraiser captured the imagination of the nation and he ended up raising more than £33m and was given a knighthood by the Queen. His walk inspired a whole host of other charity fundraisers, with Britons across the country coming together to donate money to the NHS.

Chief executive of the umbrella group that distributes the money raised to 237 local NHS charities, Ellie Orton, said she was left speechless by the amount given.

She told the Times: “It is hard to put it into words. On the first day of the COVID appeal, we got £10m. Five days later we had £15m.”

Last year the charity had a total income of £388,512.

READ MORE: Coronavirus vaccine breakthrough: Britain to be fully vaccinated by Christmas, says Oxford

More than £20m has already been distributed across the UK, including paying for accommodation for NHS workers who had to protect their families by moving out of their homes.

Donations were also spent on tablet computers so dying patients could say goodbye to loved ones.

Infection risks meant many were unable to say goodbye to their families in person.

NHS staff have also been bought wellbeing hubs and sleep pods where they can take breaks during the long shifts on the frontlines.

Survivors of the virus often experience disorientation and delirium after being sedated, so the money has been used to fund “delirium activity boxes”, with puzzles, quiz books, colouring activities and board games.

Ms Orton said the money will not replace tax and national insurance funding.

She said: “They are there to support the NHS to do more and to go further, we say ‘above and beyond’, and not replace core funding.”

Plans are being made to say the “biggest ever thank you” on the anniversary of the NHS on July 5.

There will be a minute’s silence on July 4 with the country asked to light a candle and display it in windows in remembrance of all who have died during the coronavirus crisis.

The following day Britain will participate in one final doorstep clap before raising a glass or sharing a cup of tea with neighbours.

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