He's the World War II veteran who has raised a record $56 million for the UK's National Health Service by completing laps around his garden.

Now his 100th birthday celebrations could rival the Queen's.

Captain Tom Moore, who raised the money by walking 100 laps of his garden, will be honoured with a Royal Air Force fly-past when he celebrates his birthday on Thursday.

Captain Moore smashed his modest goal of 1,000 pounds ($1,943), and completed the laps about two weeks before his birthday, with the help of his walking frame and millions of supporters.

People tuned in from across the globe to watch his progress online, turning Captain Moore into an unexpected focal point for a flood of donations to the state-funded healthcare system handling the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

Captain Moore followed up his laps by becoming the oldest artist to claim a UK number one single, with a cover version of You'll Never Walk Alone, which raised even more money for the NHS.

The fly-past tribute — expected to feature the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight — was confirmed by UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, following reports a separate fly-past by a privately-owned restored Spitfire had been cancelled as "inessential".

The Battle of Britain flight includes six Spitfires, as well as other World War II-era aircraft.

Mr Shapps said the RAF flight was meant to be a surprise, and said it was a "pity" that details had been reported.

But members of the public have been warned not to gather to watch the spectacle, to avoid the spread of coronavirus, which is so far responsible for more than 21,000 deaths in the country.

"The great British public is encouraged to follow Captain Tom's disciplined example and not gather to watch the fly-past, but continue following PHE (Public Health England) guidelines on social distancing," the Ministry of Defence told local media.

The Queen cancelled the traditional gun salute for her 94th birthday last week, for the first time in her 68-year reign.

The monarch said she did not think the salute was appropriate during the coronavirus pandemic.

Birthday tributes flood in

Captain Moore has been showered with 125,000 birthday cards after he beat the Guinness world record for a charity walk.

He said he did the walk to say "thank you" for the NHS treatment he received after he broke his hip and was treated for cancer.

Bedford School in central England, near Captain Moore's home, took on the task of opening and displaying the cards.

"It's the most amazing outpouring of love for a great man," said headmaster James Hodgson.

The floor of the school hall has been transformed into a sea of goodwill messages, carefully curated by volunteers who have spent hours reading them over the last week.

"We've had cards from all around the world, not just the UK ... we've had cards from two-year-olds and we've had cards from 92-year-olds," Mr Hodgson said.

Even as more arrive every day, Mr Hodgson said the plan was to display as many as possible and send Captain Moore a photograph of the results.

A hand-drawn card from 11-year-old Rebekah in South Wales read: "To My Hero! Thank you for all you have done. You will help a lot of people with the money you have raised xx"

Hospital staff in the United Kingdom have been told to reuse equipment and to go without full-length protective gowns as fears mount about the nation's supplies amid the coronavirus outbreak.

ABC/Reuters