Judi Dench to eat 100 Maltesers as part of Captain Tom charity challenge

The actress is one of a number of celebrities taking part in the challenge in memory of the war veteran.

(Isabel Infantes/PA)

By Megan Baynes, PA

April 30 2021 11:31 AM

Judi Dench will eat 100 Maltesers in honour of Captain Sir Tom Moore, taking part in a charity challenge on what would have been his 101st birthday.

In a video shared on Sir Tom’s official Twitter account, she is shown sitting in a garden in front of a bowl of her favourite chocolates.

She says: “Last year, Captain Tom inspired us all by doing 100 lengths of his lawn and raising a huge amount of money.

Ready, steady, eat! Dame Judi Dench has taken on the challenge of eating 100 of her favourite chocolate for #CaptainTom100 🍫💪

What challenge do you have planned? pic.twitter.com/Hngf3r6K8L
— Captain Sir Tom Moore (@captaintommoore) April 30, 2021

“Now I am completely inspired by him, and I’ve decided to do it. Only I’m going to eat Maltesers. Lovely. My fave.”

Thousands of people are taking part in their own charity challenges, themed around the number 100 and using #CaptainTom100 when shared online.

Sir Tom raised more than £32 million for the NHS last year by walking 100 laps of his garden ahead of his 100th birthday on April 30.

A host of celebrities have pledged to take part, with David Beckham aiming to do 100 keepy-uppies and Mary Berry will bake 100 cakes.

The #CaptainTom100 challenge is a chance for the nation to come together and celebrate the inspiring achievements of @CaptainTomMoore.

Whether it's baking 100 biscuits or swimming 100 lengths, you can help continue Captain Tom's legacy of hope by taking part.

Good luck! pic.twitter.com/Jb4nK7uVze
— Department for Education (@educationgovuk) April 30, 2021

Sir Tom’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, rang the five-minute bell at Lord’s cricket ground in London to officially launch the Captain Tom 100 challenge on Friday.

The bell is rung before the start of play at the ground, known as the Home of Cricket, and Sir Tom was a huge fan of the sport.

Ms Ingram-Moore told BBC Breakfast: “It’s really hard not to get emotional because he would have loved to have done this.

“We talked about it and he was really, really looking forward to it.”

His grandson Benjie, 17, said: “I would have loved to have experienced this with him, but I think he will be looking down and he will be thinking what a pleasure for our family to be here.”