Captain Sir Tom Moore has sadly passed away at the age of 100 after contracting COVID-19
The 100-year-old inspiration, known for raising almost £39 million for NHS charities during the first lockdown has sadly passed away after being admitted to hospital on Sunday. Moore was taken in to hospital after being treated for pneumonia (which meant he was unable to receive the vaccine) and testing positive for Coronavirus.
The second world war veteran rose to fame during the first national lockdown after videos of him walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday to help raise money for the NHS began to circulate the internet. He then went on to raise a grand total of almost £39 million for NHS charities to help support them through the pandemic and was labelled a 'national inspiration' and later received a knighthood from the Queen for his efforts.
Since the announcement of his death, tributes from all over the country have been flooding in as people share their condolences and remembering his inspiring his efforts not only in helping to raise money for the NHS but also for his work as an Army Soldier during the Second World War.
The prime minister shared a video statement in which he described Captain Tom as not only "a national inspiration but a beacon of hope for the world." He also went on to say that “In the dark days of the Second World War he fought for freedom and in the face of this country’s deepest postwar crisis he united us as well, he cheered us all up and he embodied the triumph of the human spirit.”
The Queen was also amongst those to pay tribute, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace writing that the Queen would be sending a private message of condolences to his Captain Sir Tom Moore's family. The spokesperson also added "Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Cpt. Sir Tom and his family at Windsor last year. Her thoughts, and those of the Royal Family, are with them, recognising the inspiration he provided for the whole nation and others across the world.”
In a statement released from his Daughters announcing his death, they wrote "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear Father. We are so grateful that we were with him during the last hours of his life; Hannah, Benjie and Georgia by his bedside and Lucy on FaceTime.nWe spent hours chatting to him, reminiscing about our childhood and our wonderful mother. We shared laughter and tears together. The last year of our father's life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he'd only ever dreamed of. Whilst he'd been in so many hearts for just a short time, he was an incredible father and grandfather, and he will stay alive in our hearts forever."
Moore won the hearts of the nation and was considered a true inspiration and a beacon of the light to many amidst these dark and testing times. Although, I think it's safe to say that his legacy will live on and he will be remembered for all his inspiring efforts throughout his lifetime.
Rest in peace Captain Tom Moore and our condolences go out to his family during this difficult time.