The United Kingdom is paying tribute toCapt. Sir Thomas Moorein the wake of his death.
Church bells and fireworks also went off in honor of the veteran, who captured hearts around the world after raising millions of dollars for healthcare workers at the start of thecoronavirus pandemic.
Moore died on Tuesday at 100 years of age, his family confirmed ina post on Twitter.
His death came shortly after he was hospitalized with pneumonia in Bedford, England on Sunday. He had tested positive for COVID-19 the week before,according to his daughterHannah Ingram-Moore.
“I want to update everybody that today (Sunday 31st January) my father was admitted to the hospital,” she wrote. “Over the last few weeks he was being treated for pneumonia and last week tested positive for COVID-19.”
Ingram-Moore continued, “He was at home with us until today when he needed additional help with his breathing. He is being treated in a ward, although he is not in ICU.”
Captain Sir Tom Moore.VICKIE FLORES/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
In April 2020, Moore, then 99, set out to walk 100 laps around his garden with the aid of a walker weeks before his 100th birthday to raise funds for the U.K.’s National Health Service.
His goal was to give back to healthcare staffers amid the crisis, as two years earlier, he’d received care from them after slipping and fracturing his hip, and was “eternally grateful” for their work, according toThe Captain Tom Foundation.
He hoped to raise the equivalent of about $1,400 — and instead pulled in more than $45 million, according toABC News.
His efforts gained him much attention, with Johnson referring to him as “a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus” and125,000 people sending Moore cardsin celebration of his 100th birthday later that month.
The letters came from all over the globe andincluded messages fromQueen Elizabeth,Prince WilliamandKate Middleton, former Olympian Kelly Holmes and English football star Harry Kane.
To further honor the veteran, all letters sent through Royal Mail for the week of his birthday were marked with a special stamp to commemorate him becoming a centenarian.
After his death was announced Tuesday, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson 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.”
source: people.com
