Captain Tom Moore dies after contracting Covid-19
Over the past few weeks, the 100-year-old fundraising hero was treated for pneumonia and last week tested positive for coronavirus. Due to the medication he was taking for pneumonia, Captain Sir Tom had not yet received a vaccine. Now, his family have issued a statement confirming the national treasure has sadly passed away.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father, Captain Sir Tom Moore,” his daughters said in a statement.
Sir Tom’s daughters Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira said: “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. We 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.
Captain Tom Moore dead: NHS fundraiser hero dies surrounded by family aged 100 (Image: GETTY)
“The care our father received from the NHS and carers over the last few weeks and years of his life has been extraordinary. They have been unfalteringly professional, kind and compassionate and have given us many more years with him than we ever would have imagined.
“Over the past few days our father spoke a great deal about the last 12 months and how proud he felt at being able to leave behind the growing legacy of his Foundation.
“We politely ask for privacy at this time so we can grieve quietly as a family and remember the wonderful 100 years our father had. Thank you.”
Following the outbreak of coronavirus, Captain Sir Tom became a national hero after walking laps of his garden at the age of 99 in aid of NHS Charities Together in April last year.
READ MORE: Captain Sir Tom Moore family statement in FULL
Captain Sir Tom stole the hearts of the nation in 2020 (Image: GETTY)
Captain Tom Moore dead: tributes are pouring in for the NHS hero (Image: GETTY)
He was given a knighthood in May.
The national hero was also named the honorary captain of the Lionhearts, an initiative honouring inspirational people who have gone above and beyond during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his fundraising, Captain Sir Tom made countless media appearances and quickly became a household name in the UK.
He attracted more than 1.5 million individual donations during his charitable cause.
Captain Tom Moore receives knighthood from the Queen
Captain Sir Tom also covered a version of You’ll Never Walk Alone alongside Michael Ball and all the proceeds went to the same charity.
The single topped the UK music chart and he became the oldest person to achieve a UK number one.
His overall total soared more than £32.9million and his hundredth birthday was marked with flypasts by the Royal Air Force and the British Army.
Captain Tom was also appointed as honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College.
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Captain Tom Moore dead: the Queen has sent her condolences to the family (Image: GETTY)
Tributes are now pouring in for the beloved war veteran.
The Prime Minister said Captain Sir Tom was a “hero in the truest sense of the word”.
Boris Johnson said Captain Sir Tom “became not just a national inspiration but a beacon of hope for the world”.
Singer Michael Ball, who recorded a charity single with Sir Tom that reached number one, wrote on Twitter: “Rest in peace Captain Tom Moore. A wonderful life so well lived and a hero and fighter to the very end.
“So very very sad. Love and prayers for Hannah-I-M and all the family.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The Queen is sending a private message of condolence to the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore. 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.”
Captain Tom Moore completes 100 laps of his garden in 2020
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: “This is incredibly sad news. Captain Tom Moore put others first at a time of national crisis and was a beacon of hope for millions. Britain has lost a hero.”
TV star Nick Knowles tweeted: “RIP Sir Tom Moore Was an honour to get to know you & laugh & smile together in Windsor An honourable man, you epitomised positivity & hope.”
Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster tweeted: “Captain Sir Tom Moore has left us.
“He leaves behind a living legacy to our NHS heroes and his inspiring example of the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “In national emergencies ordinary people do extraordinary things and inspire us all to pull together to overcome adversity.
“Few will have heard of Capt Sir Tom before this crisis but his contribution and example now live on in us all.”
