Veteran, 100, Who Raised Millions for COVID Now Has It

Captain Sir Tom Moore of the UK battling the coronavirus
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 1, 2021 3:00 AM CST
Captain Tom, Who Raised Millions for COVID, Now Has It
In this Friday, July 17, 2020 file photo, Captain Sir Thomas Moore poses for the media after receiving his knighthood from Britain's Queen Elizabeth, during a ceremony at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England.   (Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP, File)

The British World War II veteran who captured hearts globally when he raised $45 million for healthcare workers amid the coronavirus pandemic by walking laps around his garden, leading to him being knighted by the queen, is now himself battling the virus. Captain Tom Moore, who turned 100 in April, tested positive for COVID-19 last week, his daughter tweeted Sunday, per the AP. He's now been hospitalized, though she notes he's not in the ICU, because he needed "additional help with his breathing," she posted.

BuzzFeed reports that Moore, who did his laps using a walker, was surrounded by military honor guard when he completed his final laps live on television. In May, the Captain Tom Foundation was launched; its goals are "combating loneliness, supporting those facing bereavement, championing education and equality, [and] supporting our friends overseas" amid the COVID pandemic. It is also urging people to join Captain Tom in spreading hope via walking through its #WalkWithTom campaign. (More coronavirus stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X