British fundraiser Captain Tom Moore has died at the age of 100 after testing positive for Covid-19.
The charity fundraiser was taken to Bedford Hospital on Sunday after being treated for pneumonia for some time and testing positive for coronavirus last week.
In a statement, his daughters Hannah and Lucy said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father, Captain 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."
Captain Moore’s fundraising efforts raised more than £32m for the NHS, walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday during the first national lockdown in April.
The veteran set out to raise £1,000 from his charity challenge, but his efforts struck a chord with the nation, and praise and donations flooded in.
He raised a total of £32.7m, with donations from 1.5m supporters, before his fundraising page was closed at midnight following his 100th birthday on 30 April.
He started his challenge a little over three weeks earlier, and encouraged people to continue to donate to NHS Charities Together.
In acknowledgement of his efforts, he was knighted by the Queen during a unique open-air ceremony at Windsor Castle in summer 2020.
He rounded off 2020 with a trip to Barbados with his family, and his fundraising efforts were marked during the New Years drone display in London, as his figure appeared over the O2 Arena.
His family confirmed his illness on Sunday, saying he had needed additional help with his breathing and was being treated on a ward but not in ICU.
Following the news, many figures sent well wishes, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Mr Johnson, who previously said the veteran's "heroic efforts have lifted the spirits of the entire nation", today described him as "a hero in the truest sense of the word".
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 2, 2021
A Buckingham Palace spokesman: "The Queen is sending a private message of condolence to the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore.
"Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Cpt Sir Tom and his family at Windsor last year.
"Her thoughts, and those of the Royal Family, are with them, recognising the inspiration he provided for the whole nation and others across the world."
A tweet from the official White House account read: "We join the United Kingdom and the world in honoring the memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore, who inspired millions through his life and his actions."
Information released on behalf of Captain Moore's family revealed he tested positive for Covid-19 on 22 January after returning home from hospital where he was diagnosed with pneumonia.
The statement said he was tested regularly for Covid-19 between 9 December and 12 January and each test returned negative.
It said: "He was admitted to hospital on January 12. Whilst in hospital he received a pneumonia diagnosis. In addition, as with other patients, he was tested regularly for Covid-19.
"On January 22, Tom was discharged from hospital back to the family home where he felt most comfortable. Unfortunately he was left still fighting pneumonia and tested positive for Covid-19 that day.
"He remained at home, cared for by family and medical professionals, until he needed additional help with his breathing. He was taken by ambulance to Bedford Hospital on Sunday January 31.
"Tom was able to have visitors to say goodbye to him at the end of his life. Yesterday evening his daughter Hannah and grandchildren Benjie and Georgia were able to be by his side and his daughter Lucy was able to speak to him on FaceTime."
