COVID-19 claims life of centenarian who captured globe's heart
COVID-19 has claimed a giant.
Captain Sir Tom Moore, who shuffled his way into the hearts and minds of the British public, has died from the very virus he had rallied against.
Captain Sir Tom tested positive to COVID-19 last month and was moved to Bedford Hospital where he developed pneumonia.
COVID-19 has claimed the life of Captain Sir Tom Moore. A Current Affair
READ MORE: Captain Sir Tom Moore dies from coronavirus, aged 100
He died today, aged 100.
In March last year Captain Sir Tom set out in his driveway aiming to do a hundred laps and raise a thousand pounds for the UK's National Health Service (NHS) before his 100th birthday.
His family alerted the local press, thinking it was a story people would like to hear but they never imagined the stunning response.
In March last year Captain Sir Tom Moore set out in his driveway aiming to do a hundred laps. A Current Affair
READ MORE: Captain Sir Tom Moore's family is by his hospital bedside as he fights COVID-19
By his 100th birthday on April 30 last year the centenarian raised more than £29 million, (approximately A$55 million) with donations pouring in from all corners of the globe.
Captain Sir Tom then became the oldest person to top the UK single's charts for charity duet "You'll Never Walk Alone", again raising money for the NHS.
Captain Sir Tom received a promotion to honorary colonel and was knighted by the Queen last July.
Captain Sir Tom Moore received a promotion to honorary colonel and was knighted by the Queen last July. A Current Affair
READ MORE: UK fundraising hero Captain Sir Tom Moore in hospital with coronavirus
The Queen reached out privately to Captain Sir Tom's family and Buckingham Palace released a statement: "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."
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson released a video statement, acknowledging Captain Sir Tom as a beacon of hope.
"In the face of this country's deepest post war crisis he united us all," Mr Johnson said.
Captain Sir Tom Moore captured the hearts and minds of the British public. He died from the very virus he had rallied against. A Current Affair
In an interview in December Captain Sir Tom said he was not frightened of the virus.
"I've always believed things will get better. The sun will shine again, the birds will sing and we'll all have a lovely day tomorrow," he said.
After 100 years on this earth - his final one was the most remarkable.
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