What a life…

In some horrible news that I don’t think any of us were ready for, Captain Sir Tom Moore, the World War II veteran who raised millions of dollars for the NHS (The UK’s National Health Service), has passed away after contracting COVID-19.

His daughters Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira announced the news via a statement, saying “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.

“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.”

The family also revealed in their statement that Captain Sir Tom had been receiving treatment for pneumonia, as well as prostate and skin cancer, and had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 due to the medication he was taking at the time.

The 100-year-old caught the attention of the world last year when he completed a crazy 100 laps of his garden in the lead up to his last birthday, with the help of a walking frame. He ended up raising a whopping $57 million AUD for the NHS during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in England, with all proceeds going to frontline workers and hospitals.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already issued a tribute to the WW2 veteran, writing that he was a “hero in the truest sense of the word”, while adding “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.” It’s reported that Queen Elizabeth will also be sending a private message to Sir Captain Tom’s family.

Captain Sir Tom Moore was a hero in the truest sense of the word. His legacy will long live after him. pic.twitter.com/0Zn56gThCC

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 2, 2021

The Queen is sending a private message of condolence to the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore.

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. pic.twitter.com/nl1krvoUlW

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 2, 2021