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Capt. Sir Tom Moore, WWII vet who fundraised in UK for health services, has died of COVID-19

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LONDON — Capt. Sir Tom Moore, the 100-year-old World War II veteran who raised nearly $45 million for Britain’s National Health Service during a 2020 nationwide lockdown, has died at the age of 100, his family confirmed Tuesday.

Moore, who raised the funds by walking the length of his garden 100 times using his walker for support, had spent the past few weeks being treated for pneumonia and tested positive for the novel coronavirus last week.

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The veteran, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his efforts last year, was a retired Army officer who served in India and Myanmar during the Second World War, the BBC reported.

Moore had vowed in April 2020 to complete 100 laps of his patio before his 100th birthday at the end of the month, noting he was inspired to assist the health service after receiving treatment for skin cancer of the head and for a broken hip following a 2018 fall, the outlet reported.

“It’s all for the sake of the nurses and the NHS we have because they are doing such a magnificent job,” he said at the time.

According to The Washington Post, the queen led Tuesday’s tributes to Moore’s memory.

“Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Captain Sir Tom and his family at Windsor last year. Her thoughts and those of the Royal Family are with them,” the royal family’s official Twitter account tweeted.

Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan called Moore “a true hero,” as Britain’s NHS thanked the veteran for his service.

Moore gained the international spotlight when he completed his final garden lap two weeks ahead of schedule during an event live streamed by the BBC, the Post reported.

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