The Queen pays tribute to Captain Tom Moore, who has died aged 100

War veteran was knighted by The Queen after raising over £30 million for NHS

Natasha Preskey
Tuesday 02 February 2021 11:56 EST
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Captain Tom Moore: Record-breaking NHS fundraiser dies aged 100

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The Queen has paid tribute to Captain Tom Moore, who has died with coronavirus aged 100.

Buckingham Palace said that the Queen and the royal family’s thoughts are with Captain Sir Tom Moore’s family, and that she is sending a private message of condolence.

Captain Tom was knighted by the Queen in July last year, after he raised more than £32million for NHS charities by walking over 100 laps of his garden.

The 100-year-old was admitted to Bedford hospital on 31 January, a week after he tested positive for Covid-19, following treatment for pneumonia.

His daughters, Hannah and Lucy, said in a statement that, “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."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson nominated the centenarian to be knighted in May last year, after his fundraising efforts captured the hearts of the nation. 

During the ceremony, the Queen praised Captain Tom, saying: "Thank you so much, an amazing amount of money you raised."

In April last year, Captain Tom, then 99, became the oldest person ever to claim a UK Number One single, with his hit cover of You’ll Never Walk Alone, which he sang alongside Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care choir.

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