Centenarian fundraiser hospitalized with COVID

CAPT. MOORE A BRITISH LEGEND

LONDON • British centenarian Capt. Tom Moore, who raised millions for the health service by walking laps of his garden in last year’s lockdown, has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for COVID-19, his daughter said Sunday.

The Second World War veteran caught the public’s imagination in April, just before his 100th birthday, when he was filmed doing laps with the help of a walker around his garden in the village of Marston Moretaine, north of London.

Moore, described by Prince Harry as “utterly amazing,” raised more than 30 million pounds ($52 million) for charities that help the National Health Service after he set out to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.

Moore, who’s used a walker with wheels since breaking his hip, initially hoped to raise just 1,000 pounds with his 25-metre laps.

On April 30, Moore celebrated his 100th birthday with military flypasts and messages from Queen elizabeth and Prime Minister boris Johnson. Moore was also appointed the first honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College, based near the town where he grew up. He received more than 125,000 birthday cards from well-wishers.

Moore was knighted by the Queen in recognition of him lifting britain’s spirits during the gloom of the pandemic.

“I wanted to update everybody that today ... my father was admitted to hospital,” his daughter, Hannah Ingram-moore, said on Twitter.

“Over the last few weeks he was being treated for pneumonia and last week tested positive for COVID-19. He was at home with us until today when he needed additional help with his breathing. He is being treated in a ward, although he is not in ICU (intensive care unit),” she said.

She said he had been receiving “remarkable” medical care in the past few weeks. The family knew the staff at bedford Hospital would do all they could to make him comfortable and he’ll “hopefully return home as soon as possible.”

britain has vaccinated nearly nine million people against the virus, with people over the age of 80 a priority. but Sky News quoted a family representative as saying Moore had not yet received a vaccine because he was being treated for pneumonia.

His hospitalization prompted an outpouring of support. Johnson said on Twitter his thoughts were with Moore and his family. “you’ve inspired the whole nation, and I know we are all wishing you a full recovery.”

Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer also wished him well, saying: “The whole nation hopes you get well soon @captaintommoore. you’ve been an inspiration to us all throughout this crisis.”