Capt. Sir Tom Moore, known for walking laps to raise money during pandemic, laid to rest
A World War II veteran and a man who didn’t let age or the coronavirus pandemic slow him down has been laid to rest.
The ashes of Capt. Sir Tom Moore were buried at his family’s grave, reuniting him with his parents and grandparents in Yorkshire, U.K., BBC News reported. He died Feb. 2 after testing positive for COVID-19.
Moore was 99 years old when he raised more than £32 million, or about $44.3 million, for England’s National Health Service, or NHS, by walking around his garden while the country was in lockdown during the height of the pandemic.
He walked 100 laps of his garden before he hit his 100th birthday to help raise money for NHS charities. Queen Elizabeth II knighted Moore last summer during an open-air ceremony, BBC News reported.
Moore’s daughters, grandchildren and other family members attended his funeral.
His memory was honored by members of the NHS, the Royal British Legion, Scouts and Guides who manned the paths leading through the Morton Cemetery in Riddlesden, Keighley, BBC News reported.
He was also honored with a flyby and a military gun salute, The Northern Times reported.
“He was an extraordinary man who’s made a real significant difference in the life of our nation,” the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Pritchard, who conducted the ceremony, told BBC News. “He lifted our spirits and raised our vision about what is possible. So I’m just very, very moved to be able to be here right at the very end and doing this.”
Moore had the last word during his ceremony. His tombstone was engraved with the words “I told you I was old” and his image, The Northern Times reported.
This wasn’t the only recent honor Moore received. His memory was honored last week during Wimbledon. His daughter, Hannah Ingram, sat with NHS critical care staff and developers of the COVID-19 vaccines, who were applauded by those in attendance for what they have done over the past year, Metro reported.
A courtyard named for Moore also recently opened at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital, the Shropshire Star reported. The ceremony also marked the 73rd birthday of the NHS.
The courtyard is now an area set aside for rest and reflection for hospital staff, patients and visitors.
