Capt. Tom Moore dies after covid diagnosis. The 100-year-old raised millions for Britain’s NHS.

By Jennifer Hassan,

Dylan Martinez Reuters

LONDON — Capt. Sir Tom Moore, the 100-year-old veteran who raised almost $45 million for Britain’s National Health Service by repeatedly walking the length of his garden during the nationwide lockdown last year, has died at the age of 100, his family announced Tuesday.

The veteran, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his efforts last year, had spent the past few weeks being treated for pneumonia and tested positive for the coronavirus last week.

The queen lead the tributes on Tuesday.

“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.

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

Moore is not believed to have been vaccinated against the virus because of the medication he is receiving for his ongoing battle with pneumonia, British media reported Monday.

Moore’s walking story — and unexpected rise to stardom — began in April last year when he sought to raise 1,000 pounds (nearly $1,372) for the NHS by walking his 82-foot long garden back and forth 100 times, using his walker for support.

He wanted to complete the laps, which he broke down into chunks, ahead of his 100th birthday on April 30.

As public interest in his fundraiser grew, so did the pot of donations. Just 24 hours after Moore started walking, he had raised the equivalent of $8,750. As funds poured in, Moore’s fundraising page crashed repeatedly.

The veteran, who was born in 1920, completed his final lap two weeks ahead of schedule — an event that was live-streamed by the BBC as the figure reached $15 million. To date, the total stands at more than $40 million.

Health workers across the country who have long called for better funding from the government hailed Moore’s money-raising efforts during a crisis that has claimed at least 106,000 lives in Britain.The British government has long been criticized for its handling of the pandemic, with many accusing officials of not locking down the country sooner and failing to supply health-care workers with sufficient protection and access to test kits.

“They’re all being so brave. Every day, they’re putting themselves in danger of this unseen enemy that we’ve got at the moment,” Moore said of doctors and nurses in an interview with Sky News Australia last year.

In December, British Airways said it was an honor to pay for Moore and his family to fly to Barbados — a destination that had been on the grandfather’s wish list for some time.

Last year, Moore, who quickly became a national treasure, was treated on his 100th birthday with a Royal Air Force flyby above his home in Bedfordshire, 50 miles north of London, as street art of his face began appearing around the country.

Children and fans sent him more than 150,000 birthday cards and a tribute flashed on the big screen in Piccadilly Circus.

Prince William, who is second in line to the British throne, branded Moore a “one-man fundraising machine.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.