Captain Sir Tom Moore – Celebs back demand for statues outside NHS hospitals to celebrate his incredible life – latest

CELEBS have backed calls for statues around the UK to mark Captain Sir Tom Moore's incredible life.

On GMB today, Piers Morgan said: "You could take a dozen of the biggest hospitals in the country. North, South, East, West and stick a statue of Captain Sir Tom right outside so everyone that goes in remembers that guy.

Carol Vorderman said the national commemoration should go even further – with Captain Sir Tom being given a stone among Kings, Queens and the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey.

Captain Tom passed away yesterday at Bedford Hospital while being treated for pneumonia and coronavirus, sparking tributes from around the world.

Follow the latest tributes on our live blog below…

  • Shayma Bakht

    TWITTER CALLS FOR SIR TOM MOORE STATUE

    One person wrote on Twitter: "If ever a statue needed building it is for Sir Tom Moore."

    Another said: "What a brilliant idea to have a statue of Sir Captain Tom Moore outside hospitals, as a lasting memory and tribute to the great man; everyone has taken to their hearts."

    Andy Preston, the Mayor of Middlesbrough, said: "RIP Captain Sir Tom Moore. A true hero of our age.

    "Raised £33 million for the NHS at the age of 100! A statue of Sir Tom must surely be erected."

  • Shayma Bakht

    CAROL VORDERMAN CHIMES IN ASKING FOR A STATUE OF SIR TOM

    Ex-Countdown host Carol Vorderman said that the national commemoration of Captain Sir Tom should go further – giving him a stone in Westminster Abbey.

    She said: "I think he deserves a stone in Westminster Abbey because I think he embodies this whole terrible pandemic that we are all living through.

    "And so many have lost their grandmas, granddads, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, and I think he embodies that.

    "We loved him. I think we have genuinely fallen in love with Captain Sir Tom."

  • Shayma Bakht

    ANT AND DEC CALL TOM A "SHINING BEACON"

    The Saturday Night Takeaway tweeted about Sir Tom, writing: "Captain Sir Tom Moore. What a hero.

    "You were a shining beacon of hope and an inspiration to us all when we needed it most. We thank you and salute you. Rest In Peace Sir."

  • Shayma Bakht

    PIERS MORGAN ADDS A TRIBUTE

    Sharing a photo of the hero veteran on Instagram, Good Morning Britain's Piers Morgan star wrote: "RIP Captain Sir Tom Moore, 100. A magnificent man. A national hero.

    "In our darkest hour since WW2, he rallied Britain with his resilience, courage and optimism. Let us all heed his mantra in our own lives: ‘Tomorrow will be a good day.’ Thank you, Tom."

  • Shayma Bakht

    WHEN WAS SIR CAPTAIN MOORE KNIGHTED?

    In July, the Queen, who had cancelled all investitures, personally knighted him at Windsor Castle. He then signed a three book deal and negotiated a film contract to donate money to his legacy, The Captain Tom Foundation.

    ` cxzvHe wanted to aid charities that dealt with loneliness and the Royal British Legion, which he supported during The Sun’s Poppy Appeal.

  • Shayma Bakht

    AMANDA HOLDEN SPEAKS OF SIR TOM'S "SPIRIT AND SENSE OF HUMOUR"

    Britain's Got Talent's Amanda Holden paid tribute to Sir Tom Moore on Instagram.

    She said: "Goodbye to this absolute joy of a man. @captainsirtom ..A National Hero who brought us all together and shone so much light in such a dark time. .. his indomitable spirit and sense of humour taught us so much. .. and will live on thanks to the enormous legacy left behind . My love goes out to your wonderful family."

  • Ben Hill

    HEARTFELT TRIBUTES

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the veteran as "not just a national inspiration but a beacon of hope for the world".

    "In the face of this country's deepest post-war crisis, he united us all, he cheered us all up, and he embodied the triumph of the human spirit," he said.

    Buckingham Palace said the Queen would be sending a private message of condolence to Sir Tom's family, adding: "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."

  • Ben Hill

    'TOMORROW WILL BE A GOOD DAY'

    The Captain Tom Foundation, which was set up to support causes close to Sir Tom's heart, said its work would "aspire to ensure Tom's message of hope becomes an enduring legacy".

    "Whilst we mourn his loss, we celebrate his life and will be forever grateful for his optimistic philosophy and wonderful spirit," a statement said.

    "Thank you Captain Sir Tom. Because of you tomorrow will be a good day for so many more."

  • Ben Hill

    CAPTAIN TOM'S CHARITY LEGACY

    Captain Sir Tom Moore's legacy will live on "for years and years", charities have vowed, as his death prompted heartfelt tributes from around the world.

    The charity fundraiser, who raised more than £32 million for the NHS during the first lockdown, died at the age of 100 on Tuesday morning after testing positive for Covid-19.

    Ellie Orton, chief executive of NHS Charities Together, said Sir Tom "lifted the spirits of an entire nation" and demonstrated that "you're never too old, you're never too anything to care for people and to make a difference".

    She told the PA news agency: "He really was a beacon of hope, the optimism that he brought in and hope to us in a really dark and difficult time for this nation and particularly for the NHS is just incredible.

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    PICTURED

    More landmarks lit up for Captain Sir Tom.

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    HERO REMEMBERED

    Landmarks lit up across Britain tonight in memory of Captain Tom Moore, who has died aged 100 after catching Covid.

    Blackpool Tower, Wembley Stadium and the London Eye were among the venues illuminated to honour the national treasure.

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    WHO ARE CAPTAIN TOM'S GRANDKIDS?

    Benjamin Ingram-Moore

    The 16-year-old stood by his grandad as he carried out his epic 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday. 

    The Bedford Schoolboy carried out live interviews and maintained Captain Tom’s social media.  

    He was unveiled as the winner of the Rising Star category in the 2020 Independent School of the Year awards for his part in helping his grandfather raise a staggering £39million. 

    Georgia Ingram-Moore

    Georgia also supported Sir Tom’s fundraising effort. 

    She is a schoolgirl who attends Bedford Girls’ School.

    Max Teixeira

    Maz is the 19-year-old son of Lucy Teixeira, who lives in Reading. 

    Commenting on his grandfather’s astonishing achievement, he said: "We're just shocked and proud of him beyond belief."

    In September he retained a golf championship title which was held at The Club at Mapledurham, Reading.

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    WHO ARE CAPTAIN TOM'S CHILDREN?

    Captain Tom had two children with his second wife Pamela, whom he married in 1968.

    They had two daughters, Lucy and Hannah.

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    CONTINUED

    With Gift Aid added by many of the 1.5million people who gave money to his Just Giving page, the final total was £38.9million for NHS charities.

    Captain Tom described it as a “fairy tale”.

    But it wasn’t just about the money — there was something remarkable about Captain Tom that inspired a Britain in turmoil due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    This twice-wed grandad from Yorkshire was the man we were looking for in our hour of need.

    When he ended each of more than 700 media interviews declaring: “Tomorrow will be a good day” we believed him.

    For more of this story click here.

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    CAPTAIN MARVEL

    It started like thousands of charity challenges that people launch almost every day in Britain.

    World War Two veteran Captain Tom Moore, 99 — who had broken his hip in a nasty fall — wanted to raise a few quid to thank the NHS for their care.

    On April 5 last year, when he began to gingerly walk the first of 100 sponsored laps of his family home in Bedfordshire with the aid of a two wheeled walking frame, £1,000 seemed an impossible aim.

    Captain Tom, who fought in a tank regiment against the Japanese in Burma, smashed his target within a few days.

    By his 100th birthday he had walked 200 laps and collected £32,796,436 in donations — the largest sum raised by one person.

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    CONTINUED

    Sir Tom died in Bedford Hospital on Tuesday at the age of 100 after testing positive for Covid-19.

    He rose to prominence during the first coronavirus lockdown last April when he raised £32 million for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday and was knighted for his efforts.

    Mr Choudhury's own fundraising drive at his home in Bow, east London, earned him an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours last year, as well as a chat with Sir Tom himself.

    Mr Choudhury said: "He was so kind to encourage me, wishing me well.

    "I was so happy that I had the opportunity to meet him virtually."

    Mr Choudhury donated the money he raised to the Ramadan Family Commitment and Love4NHS campaigns run by CHS TV.

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    101-YEAR-OLD FUNDRAISER PRAISES 'HERO' AND INSPIRATION CAPTAIN SIR TOM MOORE

    Captain Sir Tom Moore has been described as a "real hero" by a 101-year-old fundraiser he inspired.

    Dabirul Islam Choudhury raised more than £420,000 by walking 970 laps of his communal garden while fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in April and May last year.

    Mr Choudhury said: "Captain Tom Moore has inspired millions in the UK and globally, including me, to step up our efforts during the most difficult times.

    "He is our real hero and we will miss him terribly."

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    CONTINUED

    "We have been working with Captain Tom to create positive impact around causes close to his and the families' hearts, from combating loneliness to championing education and equality and, of course, supporting the incredible NHS carers and frontline workers whom he held in such high regard.

    "Captain Tom's actions inspired people across the world and he was extremely honoured that the foundation might inspire a new generation of Captain Toms.

    "We can all make a difference and through our continued work we will aspire to ensure Tom's message of hope becomes an enduring legacy.

    "Whilst we mourn his loss, we celebrate his life and will be forever grateful for his optimistic philosophy and wonderful spirit.

    "Thank you Captain Sir Tom. Because of you tomorrow will be a good day for so many more."

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    CAPTAIN TOM FOUNDATION RELEASES STATEMENT

    A statement from The Captain Tom Foundation said: "We are heartbroken by the passing of our founder and inspiration Captain Sir Tom Moore.

    "As well as uniting the nation and giving hope when it was needed most he has been our beacon of light every single day.

    "He was so passionate about the foundation's vision for a more hopeful world and equal society and was immensely proud of the growing legacy it was establishing in his name.

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    LONDON MAYOR PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE 'TRUE HERO'

    "Heartbroken to hear the news that Captain Sir Tom Moore has sadly passed away.

    "He was a true hero, in every sense of the word, and will be mourned by millions."

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    FINANCE MINISTER RISHI SUNAK PAYS TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN TOM

    "A proud Yorkshire man. A dedicated Army Officer. A tireless fundraiser. And above all, an inspiration to us all. Rest in peace Captain Tom."

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    WHITE HOUSE HONOURS MEMORY OF CAPTAIN TOM

    "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," the White House tweeted.

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    EDITOR OF CAPTAIN SIR TOM MOORE'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY DISCUSSES HIS EXTRAORDINARY LIFE

    The editor of Captain Sir Tom Moore's autobiography has said the fundraiser "packed more into the last year of his life than most of us manage in a lifetime".

    Writing on Penguin's website, Rowland White paid tribute to Sir Tom after he died aged 100 after testing positive for coronavirus.

    Sir Tom's autobiography Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day raised funds for his charity The Captain Tom Foundation.

    White said: "Tom packed more into the last year of his life than most of us manage in a lifetime.

    "His year in the public eye could not have been more at odds with the life he'd led beforehand, but his autobiography, Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day, showed us that the qualities that saw Tom inspire the country he loved had been there all along."

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    DAVID BECKHAM HAILS CAPTAIN SIR TOM MOORE AS THE 'VERY BEST OF BRITISH'

    David Beckham has hailed Captain Sir Tom Moore as the "very best of British" following his death at the age of 100.

    The veteran and charity fundraiser died in Bedford Hospital on Tuesday morning after testing positive for coronavirus.

    The former footballer shared the message alongside a video of his encounter with Sir Tom last year.

    Beckham met Sir Tom when he presented him with a framed football shirt after he became the first member of the Lionhearts squad of inspirational heroes.

    He described him as a "true hero" on Instagram, adding: "What he achieved for our NHS will never be forgotten.

    "Tom, you were truly the very best of British.

    "When our country and our world was struggling you gave us hope, put a smile on our faces, and made us believe that tomorrow would be a good day. Rest in Peace Sir Tom."

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    CONTINUED

    The singer, who recorded a cover of You'll Never Walk Alone with Sir Tom, said he was "really lucky" to have known him.

    He said when he initially spoke to Sir Tom about the song it was "never quite as sparky" as they were not talking face-to-face and the Army veteran was "a little hard of hearing".

    "When I got to spend that time with him at his home, that's when the real Tom came alive because he was so on the ball and so quick," he added.

    "He was staggered by what had happened but he's from that generation that they took it in their stride. He was thrilled by the way everything had gone and was so proud of it.

    "He would say to me, 'I couldn't have imagined I'd be on the Royal Variety Show and have a number one hit and getting knighted by the Queen' – his most proud moment of his life.

    "There wasn't a moment where he felt, 'This isn't right, I want to pull back from this'.

    "He grasped every opportunity, he loved it and he knew he was doing the right thing."

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