We start this morning on a sad note, with news Captain Tom Moore, the World War II veteran who united Britain in the dark early days of the pandemic and raised millions of pounds for health workers, died overnight at the age of 100.
He had been battling pneumonia for several weeks and was admitted to hospital with COVID-19 on Sunday.
Captain Tom Moore.Credit:Getty Images
Sir Tom became a national hero in Britain last year when he set out to raise £1000 for National Health Service charities by walking laps of his garden. But he ended up smashing that target and raising £32.8 million ($58.8 million) after his story captured international attention.
His feat earned him a Guinness World Record for the most money raised by an individual through a walk, as well as a knighthood from the Queen. He also became the oldest artist to claim the top spot on the British singles chart with his rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson led the tributes, saying Sir Tom was “a hero in the truest sense of the word … he became not just a national inspiration but a beacon of hope for the world”, while the Queen sent a private message of condolence.
