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Discover the life and legacy of the man whose hope and resilience inspired the country
Captain Sir Tom Moore, who captured the nation’s hearts during the first national lockdown after raising more than £32m for NHS Charities Together, has died at the age of 100 after contracting Covid-19.
The news was announced by his daughters, Hannah-Ingram Moore and Lucy Teixeira, on Tuesday 2 February. Their statement said: "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."
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The centenarian became a national treasure in April 2020. Two weeks after Boris Johnson asked the country to stay at home, while most of us were embarking on Zoom quizzes, Captain Moore pledged to walk 100 laps of his garden to raise money for the NHS.
His goal was a humble £1,000, but just 24 days later, on his 100th birthday, the captain had raised more than £32 million (estimated to be closer to £40 million with gift aid rebates). Captain Moore was knighted by the Queen in July, following his charitable efforts.
He went on to break two Guinness world records, raising the most amount of money for an individual charity walk and becoming the oldest artist to have a UK No 1 single for his cover of You’ll Never Walk Alone with Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care choir.
Growing up in Yorkshire, he trained to be a civil engineer before joining the army. In 1940, he was selected for officer training and rose through the ranks to captain, later being posted to the 8th battalion of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in India. He later served and fought in Myanmar, and went with his regiment to Sumatra after the Japanese surrender.
Following the war, he returned to the UK, and in 2006 he moved to Bedfordshire to be with his family after the death of his wife.
His fundraising efforts catapulted him to stardom, not least because he was a veteran, but also an everyday family man. Inspiring many others to take part in charitable activities, he became a much-needed face of resilience at a time of unprecedented angst.
Here we take a look at the books you should add to your collection about the great man. From an autobiographical account of his life to a beautifully illustrated children’s story, these tales will remind you to keep at it when the going gets tough, much like Captain Tom did.
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From his humble beginnings in Yorkshire, via the battlefields of Myanmar, to the final lap of his garden as a centenarian, this is the autobiography of the man who captured the nation’s hearts. Providing a beacon of hope and positivity, his autobiography shows that the qualities that inspired the country had been with him from day one.
This is a beautifully illustrated and inspirational picture book that tells the story of Captain Tom Moore’s life and how he walked around his garden to raise money for NHS charities. Introducing young readers to the impact he had on our nation during unprecedented times, this book will make sure his legacy lives on. Every home should have one, to remind those both old and young that if you put your mind to something, you can do it.
The hugely successful “Little People, Big Dreams” series focuses on telling the stories of inspiring people who have accomplished remarkable things. With more than 50 titles published so far, it features everyone from physicist Stephen Hawking to activist Malala Yousafzai.
This particular edition explores the life and legacy of Captain Tom Moore, from his humble background in Yorkshire to his recent fundraising. Through this children’s story, Vegara aims to show children how when we come together we can accomplish big things, even when times are tough.
Looking to explain the world to inquisitive minds? Read our guide to the best kids’ non-fiction books
