NHS Champion and WW2 Veteran Captain Sir Tom Moore Has Died

Captain Tom Moore who captured the hearts of the nation with his incredible NHS fundraising during the coronavirus pandemic, has died after a short battle with Covid and pneumonia.

The WW2 veteran and NHS champion lost his life having been taken to Bedford Hospital on Sunday. Sir Tom became a national treasure and a household name after raising more than £32m for the health service by walking 100 laps of his garden with his zimmer frame and was knighted for his fundraising efforts by the Queen at Windsor Castle last July.

He had been receiving treatment for pneumonia tested positive for Covid-19 last week.

Captain Sir Tom compared the coronavirus pandemic to wartime.”We’re a little bit like having a war at the moment,” he said.

“But the doctors and the nurses, they’re all on the front line, and all of us behind, we’ve got to supply them and keep them going with everything that they need, so that they can do their jobs even better than they’re doing now.

“A statement from his daughters, Hannah and Lucy, said “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.

“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.

“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.”