POLITICAL rivals have united in tribute to NHS fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore, following his death from coronavirus.
The veteran, who died aged 100 after contracting Covid-19, "gave so much to our nation", Peter Kyle MP said.
The Labour MP for Hove and Portslade tweeted: "Such a cruel end for someone who gave so much to our nation during both of its darkest hours.
"He kept us safe and inspired through war and crisis. I’m pleased the queen got to thank him on behalf of us all.'
Cpt Tom Moore raised funds for the NHS by walking 100 circuits of his Bedfordshire garden in Marston Moretaine by his 100th birthday on April 30, 2020.
READ MORE >> Captain Sir Tom Moore: Zoe Ball pays emotional tribute
The initial fundraising target was £1,000. When the final count was made the amount was close to an astonishing £33 million.
Brighton Pavillion MP Caroline Lucas said the veteran was a "beacon of hope".
She said: "RIP Captain Tom Moore.
"A beacon of hope and inspiration to so many during such dark times and a doughty champion of the NHS.
RIP Captain Tom Moore. A beacon of hope & inspiration to so many during such dark times & a doughty champion of the #NHS 💙
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) February 2, 2021
Condolences to his family & friends https://t.co/wYDsAOEbTL
"Condolences to his family and friends"
JustGiving announced that the money raised by Captain Tom was a world record amount for a person raising money for a single cause.
His effort inspired a petition signed by nearly a million people calling for Moore to be knighted, a wish that was granted.
The flag above 10 Downing Street flew at half-mast in tribute to Sir Tom and the Prime Minister spoke to the veteran’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore to offer his condolences.
Mr Johnson said: “Captain Sir Tom Moore was a hero in the truest sense of the word.
“In the dark days of the Second World War, he fought for freedom and 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.
“It is quite astonishing that at the age of 100 he raised more than £32 million for the NHS, and so gave countless others their own chance to thank the extraordinary men and women who have protected us through the pandemic.
“He became not just a national inspiration but a beacon of hope for the world. Our thoughts are with his daughter Hannah and all his family.”
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