LONDON (CU)_The Queen of England on Tuesday (Feb 2) led tributes to British war hero Captain Sir Tom Moore who died at the age of 100, after capturing the world’s hearts by raising millions of dollars for the health services of the United Kingdom.
“The Queen is sending a private message of condolence to the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore,” the Buckingham Palace said in a statement. “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.”
Sir Moore’s family announced on Tuesday that he had passed away peacefully in Bedford Hospital in England. Before his death, the inspirational war veteran captured the world’s hearts by walking 100 laps in his garden to raise $45million for the National Health Service (NHS).
His daughters Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira hailed the last year of his life as ‘nothing short of remarkable’, and said he experienced things he’d only ever dreamed of.
Downing Street had its flags lowered to half-mast, while the London Eye, Wembley Stadium, and Blackpool Tower all lit up in his honour tonight. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed Captain Tom as “not just a national inspiration but a beacon of hope for the world”.
“Captain Sir Tom Moore was a hero in the truest sense of the word. In the dark days of the Second World War, he fought for freedom and in the face of this country’s deepest post war crisis he united us all, he cheered us all up, and he embodied the triumph of the human spirit,” the Prime Minister said.
“It is quite astonishing that at the age of 100 he raised more than £32million [$45million] for the NHS, and so gave countless others their own chance to thank the extraordinary men and women who have protected us through the pandemic.”
The White House and the US Embassy in London also paid tribute to British war hero on Tuesday, with the US Embassy saying his legacy “will live on and continue to inspire”.
“Rest in Peace Captain Sir Tom Moore. You inspired millions of people across the UK & U.S. at one of the most difficult times we’ve ever faced. Your legacy will live on and continue to inspire. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends,” the Embassy shared on Twitter.
A short while later, the White House retweeted the embassy and wrote: “We join the United Kingdom and the world in honouring the memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore, who inspired millions through his life and his actions.”
Last Sunday, Ingram-Moore revealed that Sir Moore had been battling pneumonia over the ‘past few weeks’ before also testing positive for Covid-19 a week ago. He was taken to Bedford Hospital in Bedfordshire on Sunday night after requiring ‘help with his breathing’. Earlier on Tuesday, his daughters announced the sad news that their father had passed away just after 4pm on Monday.
“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,” they said. “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.”
Originally from Keighley, West Yorkshire, Captain Tom shot to international prominence during the first wave of the pandemic last year, when he set off to 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday, on April 6. While he aimed to raise £1,000 for the NHS, after capturing the nation’s hearts the money donated grew exponentially and by his 100th birthday on April 30, the sum had surged to almost $45million.
His heroics during the pandemic led him to be knighted by the Queen, while he also made an honorary member of the England cricket team, and was lauded by celebrities and politicians from various parts of the world.
