Boris Johnson Calls Captain Sir Tom Moore "A Beacon Of Hope" After The NHS Fundraiser Dies with Covid-19 Aged 100

In a statement published on Tuesday, his family 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.”

It continued: “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. 

“Whilst he'd been in so many heads for just a short time, he was an incredible father and grandfather, and he will stay alive in our hearts forever. 

“The care our father received from the NHS and carers over the last few weeks and years of his life has been extraordinary.”

In a statement, Prime Minister Boris Johnson described Captain Tom as "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 the 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 added that Captain Tom was "not just a national inspiration but a beacon of hope for the world."

The Union flag was lowered to half-mast at Downing Street in tribute, shortly after Captain Tom's death was announced.

The World War Two veteran rose to fame in April 2020 after he set out to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together by walking around his garden shortly before his hundredth birthday.

His campaign attracted over 1.5 million individual donations totalling over £32.79 million by the time it closed, and he was subsequently awarded the Pride of Britain award and knighted by the Queen.

In an official statement, the royal family said that the Queen would be sending a private message of condolence Captain Tom's family

"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," it said.

It was announced on Sunday that Captain Tom had been admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties while suffering with Covid-19.

Tributes have since poured in from across the political spectrum, including from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and health secretary Matt Hancock.

“This is incredibly sad news. Captain Tom Moore put others first at a time of national crisis and was a beacon of hope for millions. Britain has lost a hero”, Sir Keir wrote on Twitter.

Matt Hancock said:  “I'm so sorry to hear that Captain Tom has passed away in hospital.

“He was a great British hero that showed the best of our country & I send my best wishes to his family at this time.”

Former health secretary and Conservative MP Jeremy Hunt said Captain Tom had had "a life well lived". 

"Thank you for inspiring a nation in dark times @captaintommoore," Hunt wrote on Twitter. 

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner also paid tribute, describing him as "the very best of us".

"You served our country throughout your life and last year you were a light in the darkness and provided us all with hope," she wrote.

"Your legacy will serve as an inspiration to all of us. Thank you. You truly were the very best of us."

Elsewhere, shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth said the much-loved hero "made our whole nation proud", while senior Labour MP Yvette Cooper described him as "an inspiration through grim times last year".

And, shadow justice secretary David Lammy said "the whole country will mourn his sad death".

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan — a Labour frontbencher and NHS doctor who worked in A&E during the pandemic — said we must "never forget" Captain Tom's fundraising efforts.

"Incredibly sad to learn that Captain Sir Tom Moore has passed away. His spirit and resilience inspired us all," she wrote.

"Doing his bit for the effort to fight coronavirus, we must never forget his heroic work raising vital funds for our NHS. My thoughts go out to his family at this time."

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab said that Captain Tom's family "can be proud of everything he achieved", while home secretary Priti Patel described him as a "inspiration to millions".

"A bright, kind light in the darkest of times. A British hero. I will never forget his undaunted optimism and how it helped us all to keep going," Ms Patel wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile chancellor Rishi Sunak described him as a "proud Yorkshire man" as well as a "dedicated Army Officer" and a "tireless fundraiser".

"And above all, an inspiration to us all. Rest in peace Captain Tom," Mr Sunak added.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said he "heart goes out to his family and friends", calling him "an officer and a gentleman who, at the toughest times for our nation, was a shining example to young and old of selfless service".

Boris Johnson's fiance Carrie Symonds also paid tribute to the much-admired centinarian on Twitter, saying it was "just amazing to think what [Captain Tom] achieved in his 100th year of life".

Former prime minister David Cameron said: "Captain Sir Tom Moore has been an inspiration - lighting up what has been such a dark year for so many.

"My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, and with all those who have so sadly lost a loved one due to this terrible virus. RIP Sir Tom, a great British hero."

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also remarked upon "such sad news", and praised Captain Tom's fundraising efforts. 

NHS England also shared their condolences, writing: "We’re so sad to hear that [Captain Tom Moore] — who raised almost £33 million for NHS charities — has died aged 100. Thank you for everything, Tom."

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