The British icon, Capt. Sir Tom Moore, who raised almost £33 million ($45 million) during the first wave of the Covid-19 outbreak has died in hospital at the age of 100.
His family made the announcement in a statement on Tuesday, February 2.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father, Captain Sir Tom Moore.
“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,” said Moore’s family in a statement.
The Reuters report indicated that the retired Army officer and centenarian was admitted to Bedford hospital on Sunday after he tested positive for coronavirus last week after being treated for pneumonia for past few weeks.
Moore was unable to receive a Covid-19 vaccine because of the medication he was receiving for pneumonia.
The World War II veteran became an international symbol of hope last year after his 100 walk marathon around his garden before his 100th birthday to raise money for the “heroes” at Britain’s National Health Service.
In May, 2020 after the fundraising, Captain Tom and his family established a foundation, “The Captain Tom Foundation”, aiming at combating loneliness, supporting those facing bereavement, championing education and equality, and supporting our friends overseas.
The foundation was officially launched in September to work alongside other four charities in 2020: The Royal British Legion, Mind, Helen & Douglas House, and Willen Hospice.
Originally from Keighley in West Yorkshire, Moore joined the Army at the beginning of World War Two, serving in India and Myanmar, then known as Burma.
He became the managing director of a concrete manufacturer after the war ended following his initial training as a civil engineer but moved in with his daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren in Bedfordshire, eastern England after the death of his wife in 2006.
The Queen who described Capt. Tom Moore as inspiration for the whole nation and others across the world has sent a private message of condolence to Moore’s family.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson who also shared his tribute to Moore in a statement said the veteran was a hero in the truest sense of the word who fought for freedom in the dark days of the Second World War and in the face of this country’s deepest postwar crisis.
The flag above 10 Downing Street has been flying at half-mast in tribute to Moore and the White House wrote on its official twitter page that it has joined the United Kingdom and the world in [honouring] the memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore, who inspired millions through his life and his actions.
