Fundraising hero Captain Tom dies

CAPTAIN Sir Tom Moore, the Second World War veteran whose charity walks inspired the UK at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, has died after testing positive for Covid-19.

The 100-year-old charity fundraiser was taken to hospital on Sunday, after being treated for pneumonia for some time and testing positive for the virus the week before last.

On Monday, Bedford Hospital said Capt Sir Tom had been joined by members of his family.

In a statement yesterday, his daughters Hannah and Lucy said: “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 his life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he’d only ever dreamed of.”

First Minister Nicola

Sturgeon paid tribute to Captain Tom, tweeting: “Such sad news. RIP Captain.”

Last year, the then 99-yearold decorated Second World War veteran set out to mark his 100th birthday, and raise funds for the NHS, by walking 100 circuits of his Bedfordshire garden in Marston Moretaine, by his 100th birthday, which would fall on April 30, 2020.

The initial fundraising target was £1,000. When the final count was made the amount was close to £33 million.