Captain Sir Tom Moore, the war veteran who captured imaginations around the world with his heroic fundraising for the NHS has died. He was 100 years old. The Queen has sent a private message of condolence to his family.
Sir Tom was admitted to hospital at the weekend after suffering from pneumonia and testing positive for coronavirus. His death was announced on the afternoon of February 2nd 2021.
Soon afterwards, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Queen was sending private condolences to Sir Tom’s family. She knighted him in a special ceremony on July 17th 2020 at Windsor. In a short statement, the Palace also said that ”Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Captain Sir Tom and his family at Windsor last year. Her thoughts and those of the Royal Family are with them.”
Captain Sir Tom, who was born on April 30th 1920 in Keighley, North Yorkshire, was celebrated around the world for his determination in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. He first came to prominence as he attempted to raise £1000 for his local NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden in time for his 100th birthday. His story inspired people across the UK to donate and he ended up raising over £33 million.
As well as being knighted, he was made an honorary Colonel as he made his centenary. He received over 150,000 birthday cards from around the world as he turned 100 and became just as well known for his calm words of kind encouragement during the pandemic. He always promised ‘tomorrow will be a good day’, a motto that has given hope to many since.
