2 February 2021 | UK NEWS
A symbol of hope in the UK’s battle against the coronavirus pandemic has died of the virus.
Captain Sir Tom Moore passed away this morning after testing positive for coronavirus, having been diagnosed with the disease last week. He caught the virus after a battle with pneumonia, the medication for which denied him access to receiving the vaccine.
Captain Tom received recognition at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic for his inspiring work to raise money for NHS workers affected by the pandemic. The 100-year-old raised almost £33 million by walking laps of his back garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, for sponsorship during lockdown.
Among the many to pay tribute to Captain Tom was the Queen, who had given the Captain a knighthood in July last year. A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “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, recognising the inspiration he provided for the whole nation and others across the world.”
The daughters of Captain Tom, on announcing their father’s death, said that his life had been “nothing short of remarkable”.
They said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father.
“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.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also paid tribute to the Captain following his passing, saying: “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.
“He became not just a national inspiration, but a beacon of hope for the world. Our thoughts are with his daughter Hannah and all his family.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also tweeted his condolences.
