HERO Captain Sir Tom Moore has tragically died in hospital aged 100 following a Covid battle.
The war veteran, who raised millions for the NHS at the start of the pandemic, was admitted to hospital on Sunday after struggling with his breathing.
Follow the latest tributes to Captain Tom Moore on our live blog…
His heartbroken family today confirmed Captain Tom has tragically passed away.
Daughters Hannah and Lucy said in a touching statement: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father, Captain Sir Tom Moore.
His tragic death comes as:
- Tributes have flooded in for Captain Tom led the Queen
- A final picture shows the hero beaming as he's surrounded by his family
- How the quiet Yorkshireman turned war hero captured the nation's hearts
- Follow our live blog for the latest tributes and updates
"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."
His grieving daughters praised the "extraordinary" NHS and carers who helped their father in the last weeks and year of his life.
They branded them "unfalteringly professional, kind and compassionate" and thanked them for "giving us many more years with him than we ever would have imagined".
The statement added: "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."
Touching family statement in full
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.
Thank you,
Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira
The hero, who became a beacon of hope as coronavirus first gripped the world, fell ill with pneumonia and last week tested positive for the disease.
His daughter Hannah said on Sunday her dad was not in intensive care as she thanked medical staff for doing "all they can" to make him comfortable.
Bedford Hospital said Capt Sir Tom had been joined at his bedside by members of his family.
The Queen had led tributes to the hero today and is sending a private message of condolence to his family.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman: "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."
The war veteran won the hearts of the nation with his bid to raise money for NHS staff before his 100th birthday on April 30 last year.
His aim was to raise £1,000 walking 100 laps of the 25-metre (82ft) loop in his garden with the aid of a frame.
The champ then vowed to keep on walking while people were still donating after he achieved the amazing feat on April 16.
Staggeringly, he went on to raise £32,796,355 for NHS charities and received a knighthood from the Queen.
The ceremony was Her Majesty's first face-to-face engagement since lockdown began in March 2020 and was performed as a special exception.
Before the ceremony Captain Tom joked: "If I kneel down, I'll never get up again, but I'm sure it'll go well, as she's done it before".
Captain Tom became a shining light for the nation in the darkest moments of the pandemic.
Refusing to slow down after his incredible fundraising efforts, he released a heartwarming version of You'll Never Walk Alone with Michael Ball.
The single went straight to Number 1 and included a spoken-word introduction from Captain Tom, who says: "Hold your head up high, and don't be afraid of the dark."
He became the oldest person to reach the top of the charts with the charity single.
When he turned 100, the milestone was celebrated with an RAF flypast and he was promoted to Colonel.
How Captain Tom united the nation
April 2020 – Captain Tom Moore begins his fundraising effort to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday with the aim of raising £1,000 for the NHS
April 14 – The war veteran smashes his initial target with £1million donated by mid-morning – rising to £2million just hours later
April 15 – More than £7million is donated by over 340,000 supporters as celeb's praise his heroic effort
April 16 – Captain Tom completes his 100 laps and vows to keep going if people are donating. He receives support from the Prime Minister and Royal family for his incredible achievement
April 24 – The veteran becomes the oldest person to top the charts with his cover of "You'll Never Walk Alone" with singer Michael Ball
April 30 – The hero's fundraising page reaches £32million as he celebrates his 100th birthday. A military flypast honours his birthday milestone and he is made a honorary colonel
July 17 – Captain Tom receives a knighthood from the Queen in a special engagement held just for him
September – He signs a deal to film a biopic of his incredible life and writes bestselling autobiography, titled "Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day"
October 5 – Captain Tom becomes one of the country's oldest podcasters with the launch of a series to tackle isolation among older people
December – He celebrates Christmas with his family on a bucket list trip to Barbados
January 31, 2021 – His family reveal he has been admitted to hospital with pneumonia and Covid
Captain Tom also graced the cover of GQ magazine draped in a Union Jack with his medals pinned to his tux.
After his fundraising, he told how he wanted to revisit India, travel to Barbados, and even journey along Route 66, saying: "I hope we’ll all move on from corona one day”.
He managed to tick Barbados off his bucket list before his tragic death – spending Christmas with his family on the paradise Caribbean island.
Captain Tom wanted to make a bet on that he would live to 103 would die but no bookmakers would take him up on.
He said: “Some people can’t bear the thought of death but I draw strength from it.
“If tomorrow is my last day, if all those I loved are waiting for me, then that tomorrow will be a good day too.”
Captain Tom's heroic life was told in a bestselling book – including his time spent in the Army fighting for Britain.
Thomas Moore was born at home in Keighley, West Yorks, on April 30, 1920, second child of mum Isabella and dad Wilfred who, although he was deaf, ran a successful family building firm.
He completed an apprenticeship as a civil engineer before joining the 8th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, part of the Royal Armoured corps.
During World War Two, he enlisted in 145 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps and was chosen for officer training in 1940, rising to the rank of captain.
He was posted to India and went on to serve his country in Burma, now called Myanmar.
Captain Tom returned to the UK to train tank crews at Bovington, Wiltshire, and continued his hobby as a motocross rider.
After the war he returned to civilian life and married Pamela who was 15 years his junior.
Captain Tom moved in with his daughter Hannah and her two children in Bedfordshire when his Pamela died from dementia in 2006.
She released a statement on Sunday updating the nation on her beloved father's condition.
Captain Tom's pneumonia medication meant he was unable to have the Covid vaccine.
The statement said: "I wanted to update everybody that today my father was admitted to hospital.
"Over the last few weeks he was being treated for pneumonia and last week tested positive for Covid-19.
"He was at home with us until today when he needed additional help with his breathing.
"He is being treated on a ward, although he is not in ICU.
"The medical care he has received in the last few weeks has been remarkable and we know that the wonderful staff at Bedford Hospital will do all they can to make him comfortable and hopefully return home as soon as possible.
"We understand that everyone will be wishing him well. We are of course focusing on my father and will update you when we can."
Tributes have already started flooding in for Captain Tom from political leaders and celebrities.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "I'm so sorry to hear that Captain Tom has passed away in hospital.
"He was a great British hero that showed the best of our country & I send my best wishes to his family at this time."
Chancellor Rishi Sunak wrote on Twitter: A proud Yorkshire man. A dedicated Army Officer. A tireless fundraiser. And above all, an inspiration to us all.
"Rest in peace Captain Tom."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "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."
Singer Michael Ball, who recorded a charity single with Sir Tom that reached number one, wrote on Twitter: "Rest in peace @captaintommoore. 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. "
The NHS, for which Sir Tom raised millions of pounds, tweeted: "Thanks for everything Sir Tom."
Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, added:“On behalf of everyone in the NHS, I want to pay tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore who has been the model of all that has been good about our country’s response to Covid-19.
“People rightly marvel at the tens of millions of pounds Captain Sir Tom raised for the NHS, but for me, his biggest achievement and most important contribution to helping my fellow nurses, doctors and all those in the NHS responding to coronavirus, has been how he brought the country together and gave us all a boost when we most needed it.
“I also want to echo the thanks of Hannah and Lucy to my colleagues who have cared for Captain Sir Tom in his final days, and I am proud that the NHS was able to offer Captain Sir Tom and his family compassion, skill and dedication when they most needed it.”
While Liz Lees MBE, Chief Nurse, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “It has been our immense privilege to care for Captain Sir Tom Moore.
“We share our deepest condolences and sympathies with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time. We’d also like to say thank you, and pay tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore for the remarkable contribution he has made to the NHS.”
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