Captain Sir Tom Moore is battling COVID-19 and pneumonia in hospital.
Captain Sir Tom Moore
The 100-year-old former British Army officer captured the hearts of the nation in March when he walked 100 laps of his garden, with a goal of raising £1,000 for NHS charities during the UK’s first coronavirus lockdown.
And on Sunday (31.01.21), his daughter Hannah confirmed the beloved centenarian – who managed to beat his £1,000 goal by raising a whopping £32 million – is now in hospital after testing positive for the potentially-deadly virus.
In a statement shared to social media, Hannah wrote: “I wanted to update everybody that today (Sunday 31st January) my father was admitted to hospital.
“Over the last few weeks he was being treated for pneumonia and last week tested positive for COVID-19.
“He was at home with us until today when he needed additional help with his breathing. He is being treated in a ward, although he is not in ICU.
“The medical care he has received in the last few weeks has been remarkable and we know that the wonderful staff at Bedford Hospital will do all they can to make him comfortable and hopefully return home as soon as possible.
“We understand that everyone will be wishing him well. We are of course focusing on my father and will update you when we are able to.”
Captain Sir Tom was recently honoured with the Inspiration of the Year award at the 2020 GQ Men of the Year Awards for his charitable feat, which came after he also received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.
The veteran admitted he "never envisioned" his hundredth birthday challenge would become a national phenomenon.
He said: "It blossomed into something absolutely outstanding. When I started walking, I never envisioned that sort of money would appear. But I thank the whole family, and my daughter Hannah in particular, as without her this would never have blossomed as it did.”