CAPTAIN Sir Tom Moore has died today after battling pneumonia and the Coronavirus in recent weeks.
The 100-year-old veteran and avid motorcyclist had been taken into hospital as he required assistance with his breathing, although today he passed away with his family by his side.
In a statement, Capt Sir Tom's daughters Mrs Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira 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.
"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 hearts for just a short time, he was an incredible father and grandfather, and he will stay alive in our hearts forever."
Captain Sir Tom Moore – or Captain Tom as he was known – came to the public attention during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he raised more than £30m for the NHS group of charities. It was only after his record breaking effort that it became known he was an avid motorcyclist.
Captain Tom was an avid motorcyclist, even taking part in motorcycle races wearing the number 23 – a number that is still used by the Army endurance racing team to this day.
He bought his first bike at the age of 12, his lifelong passions for motorcycles came in handy while serving in India with his regiment. There he would set up a motorcycling course for the brigade he was part of. Once returning back to the UK after service, bikes were still a big part of Cpt Moore’s life.
Everyone at Visordown extends our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Ride on Captain Tom, you will always be a legend in our eyes.
