COVID claims Sir Tom

LONDON: The Queen has led tributes to Captain Sir Tom Moore, the hero of Britain’s pandemic who won the hearts of the nation — and the world.

The 100-year-old World War II veteran, who raised a staggering $57m for the UK’s health service during last year’s initial lockdown, died from COVID-19, which he caught after first contracting pneumonia in December.

Her Majesty was among the first to offer her condolences. Other tributes poured in, including from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and football legend David Beckham, who praised Sir Tom as a shining light during the dark days of the pandemic.

Sir Tom’s daughters Hannah and Lucy confirmed his death on Wednesday morning. “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father, Captain Sir Tom Moore,” they wrote. “We are so grateful that we were with him during the last hours of his life. We spent hours chatting to him, reminiscing about our childhood and our wonderful mother. We shared laughter and tears together. He was an incredible father and grandfather, and he will stay alive in our hearts forever.”

Sir Tom became a national hero by his humble fundraising effort to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday in April last year. His story captured world headlines, and his original goal of raising $1800 for the NHS ended up netting $57m.

A book was written about him, and he even hit No.1 in the charts with a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone.

The Queen knighted him in July in a special socially distanced ceremony on the lawns at Windsor Castle.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said yesterday: “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.”

Mr Johnson declared Sir Tom 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 said.

David Beckham met Sir Tom when he presented him with a framed football shirt after he became the first member of the Lionhearts squad of inspirational heroes.

The former England captain described Sir Tom as a “true hero” on Instagram, adding: “What he achieved for our NHS will never be forgotten. Tom, you were truly the very best of British.

“Rest in peace, Sir Tom.”