UK's record-breaking fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore dies aged 100

By Guy Faulconbridge and Michael Holden

 

Captain Sir Tom Moore speaks as he launches his autobiography book 'Tomorrow will be a Good Day' at his home in Milton Keynes, Britain September 17, 2020. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/Files

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Captain Tom Moore, the British World War Two veteran who raised millions of pounds for health service workers on the frontline of the battle against the coronavirus, has died aged 100 after contracting COVID-19, his family said on Tuesday.

 

Moore struck a chord with locked-down Britain by walking around his garden with the help of a frame to raise 38.9 million pounds ($53 million) for the National Health Service.

 

His endeavour and wit spread joy amid the grim news of the coronavirus outbreak: Moore's message to the world was that the sun would shine again and that the clouds would clear.

 

"It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father, Captain Sir Tom Moore," his daughters said in a statement.

 

Moore died on Tuesday morning at Bedford Hospital in central England. He had tested positive for COVID-19 on Jan. 22 and was fighting pneumonia.

 

Over the last five years, Moore had been receiving treatment for prostate and skin cancer, his family said. He had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 due to the other medication he was taking.

 

When he started his sponsored walk at his home in the village of Marston Moretaine, 80km (50 miles) north of London, he hoped to raise 1,000 pounds.

 

Instead, he raised millions of pounds for the National Health Service, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth, broke two Guinness world records, scored a No. 1 single in the pop charts, wrote an autobiography and helped set up a charity.

 

"We share our deepest condolences and sympathies with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time," Bedford Hospital's chief nurse Liz Lees said.

 

"We’d also like to say thank you, and pay tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore for the remarkable contribution he has made to the NHS."

 

SUNSHINE DURING LOCKDOWN

Raised in Yorkshire, northern England, Moore served in India, Burma and Sumatra during World War Two.

 

Queen Elizabeth II, who knighted Moore, will send a message of private condolence to the family. Elizabeth "very much enjoyed meeting Captain Sir Tom" and her thoughts were with his family, Buckingham Palace said.

 

"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," his daughters said.

 

"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."

 

Politicians paid tribute to Moore.

 

"I'm so sorry to hear that Captain Tom has passed away in hospital," British health minister Matt Hancock said on Twitter. "He was a great British hero that showed the best of our country."

 

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Michael Holden and Paul Sandle)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-02-03

 

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This sad news has brought a tear to my eye. RIP Captain Sir Tom. A true legend and ray of hope and light during these dark times.

RIP Captain Sir Tom, a true hero throughout his century on earth.

R.I.P. Sir Tom, a true hero, one of the best.

A very good innings, made it to 100 not out, then taken by covid, sad so very sad.

Thank you Sir Tom, for all that you did for us.

 

You will be remembered.

 

RIP.

So died of Pneumonia? Not Covid? 

100 is still way better than the majority. He knew he couldn't live forever. 

 

PS How many on here have been inoculated against pneumonia?

9 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

So died of Pneumonia? Not Covid? 

Same thing happened to Larry King a few days back. The battle with Covid, if you survive it, leaves you depleted and vulnerable to the more common infections that are, sadly, always around.

I wonder if he caught Covid during the Christmas period. A lot of people let their guard down.

 

Sad. Thanks China.

He was a good man, who served his country nobly, both as a young man and memorably again as a centenarian.

 

May perpetual light shine on him.

 

More controversialy, personally I don't think his memory should be sullied by being used in the debate as to whether Covid 19 or other health issues were responsible for his and other deaths.

35 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

He was a good man, who served his country nobly, both as a young man and memorably again as a centenarian.

 

May perpetual light shine on him.

 

More controversialy, personally I don't think his memory should be sullied by being used in the debate as to whether Covid 19 or other health issues were responsible for his and other deaths.

 

He was a 100 years old.

 

Pretty safe to say that he could have popped off at anytime, from any one of many causes.

 

It's not like his whole life was ahead of him.

 

He'd had a good long one and pretty much quit when he was ahead.

 

Bon voyage Captain Tom, as you set out on that great journey "toward the unknown region":

 

"I know it not O soul,

Nor dost thou, all is a blank before us,

All waits undream'd of in that region, that inaccessible land"

 

https://whitmanarchive.org/published/LG/1891/poems/245

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

More controversialy, personally I don't think his memory should be sullied by being used in the debate as to whether Covid 19 or other health issues were responsible for his and other deaths.

His family have been fully transparent about the cause of death, probably to circumvent any such debate.

 

Sir Tom was born a Keighley lad like myself and his family were builders (his father I believe) it was rather fitting that they had the honour of building the cenotaph after WW1 in the centre of Keighley. It depicts a sailor with a telescope and a soldier carrying a rifle with a bayonet, the bayonet had to be removed in case it injured yobs climbing on it, for remembrance day it is substituted with a wooden one. On its opening over half the population of Keighley turned out for the occasion, about 25,000. 

RIP Sir Tom. 

 

RIP old soldier.

One of my favorites from the Capt Tom story

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-52869064

I always wonder what tales these wonder old soldiers take with them. My condolences to the family

RIP loyal soldier.

Sir Captain Tom, you are, and will always be, a legend! You have done Great Britain proud through your exploits.  Despite all the publicity and fame, you remained humble throughout.  I pray that you did not suffer too much towards the end.  Now you have left the conflict and turmoil of this world, to enter the heavenly realms, where there is no more pain and suffering, and peace reigns.  God bless you and may He comfort all those who mourn your death.

RIP Captain Tom a very remarkable man 

RIP Captain Tom. You served your country well.

8 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

So died of Pneumonia? Not Covid? 

100 is still way better than the majority. He knew he couldn't live forever. 

 

PS How many on here have been inoculated against pneumonia?

But it will still be recorded as a Covid death.

3 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

But it will still be recorded as a Covid death.

If you die of cancer in old age, will it be reckonend as cancer or age? 

1 hour ago, Tagged said:

If you die of cancer in old age, will it be reckonend as cancer or age? 

Cancer, I would think?   I read that if you're positive for Covid and then get killed in a car crash it's recorded as a "Covid death within 28 days of being diagnosed".  A myth? 

 

Either way, RIP Colonel Sir Tom.

26 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Cancer, I would think?   I read that if you're positive for Covid and then get killed in a car crash it's recorded as a "Covid death within 28 days of being diagnosed".  A myth? 

 

Either way, RIP Colonel Sir Tom.

Well I have no idea, but it will not help anyone who loose anybody to covid old or not, that healthy people speculate if this is a lie and a conspirecy. Ask any healthworker who stand in the middle of the heat what they think!?

10 hours ago, vogie said:

Sir Tom was born a Keighley lad like myself and his family were builders (his father I believe) it was rather fitting that they had the honour of building the cenotaph after WW1 in the centre of Keighley. It depicts a sailor with a telescope and a soldier carrying a rifle with a bayonet, the bayonet had to be removed in case it injured yobs climbing on it, for remembrance day it is substituted with a wooden one. On its opening over half the population of Keighley turned out for the occasion, about 25,000. 

RIP Sir Tom. 

 

Looking at that air pollution it's a wonder anyone survived childhood...never mind a century.

12 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

So died of Pneumonia? Not Covid? 

100 is still way better than the majority. He knew he couldn't live forever. 

 

PS How many on here have been inoculated against pneumonia?

<deleted>

Covid can give you pneumonia - it's one of the symptoms. - I know it gave it to me when I had Covid in November. And the pneumonia is why I spent a few days in hospital.

If you seriously - after 100,000 deaths in the UK from Covid - still seem to think people aren't dying from Covid - you're a raving lunatic.

4 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Cancer, I would think?   I read that if you're positive for Covid and then get killed in a car crash it's recorded as a "Covid death within 28 days of being diagnosed".  A myth? 

 

Either way, RIP Colonel Sir Tom.

The UK follows WHO guidelines on reporting a death as Covid.  A cause of death can be made by the physician, an attendant, a medical examiner or a coroner.   Most deaths would be reported as being from the underlying cause, with a notation that it was Covid related.   In other words, if the cause of death is directly from heart failure or pneumonia that is listed as the primary cause, if it was brought about by Covid then that is listed as well. 

If you are killed in a car accident and have Covid, Covid would NOT be the cause of death.   The two are not related.  If you have a heart attack while driving and die, the medical examiner will have to determine if you died from injuries caused by the accident or whether a heart attack actually killed you.  Both, however, will be on the death certificate. 

 

I have no idea what Sir Tom's death certificate will say, but I suspect it will include Covid as at least a 2ndary cause.

 

Found this photo, on my Keighley website, an interesting read.

 

 

wonder if any celebs will take the knee for this good man? dont hold your breath.