Captain Tom Moore: Flags outside Scottish Parliament fly at half mast for veteran NHS hero

Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised almost £33m for the NHS early in the Covid-19 pandemic, died in hospital yesterday after testing positive for the virus.

To honour his memory, the Scottish Parliament’s Saltire, Union Jack and EU flags are at half mast to pay tribute to the war veteran who walked 100 laps of his garden ahead of his 100th birthday during the first national lockdown last April.

The action follows Number 10’s who raised its flag at half mast yesterday to pay tribute to Captain Tom.

Scottish Parliament fly their flags at half mast to pay tribute to Captain Tom (Photo: Lisa Ferguson).

Speaking at Parliament today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was met with applauds from the rest of the chamber when she paid tribute to the NHS hero.

Before announcing the latest daily coronavirus statistics the First Minister this afternoon said: “Can I take the opportunity to express, I’m sure on behalf of all of us, my sadness at the death yesterday of Captain Sir Tom Moore.

"During the toughest of times he inspired millions of people and of course he raised millions of pounds for the National Health Service so I’m sure I speak on behalf of all of us when I say our thoughts and condolences are with his family.”

The veteran set out to raise £1,000 from his charity challenge but after his efforts struck a chord with the nation he ended up raising a huge £32.7 million, with donations from 1.5 million supporters.

Flags outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh have been flown at half mast to pay tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore (Photo: Lisa Ferguson).

He started his challenge a little over three weeks earlier, and encouraged people to continue to donate to NHS Charities Together.

In acknowledgement of his efforts, he was knighted by the Queen during a unique open-air ceremony at Windsor Castle in summer 2020.

In a statement, his daughters Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father, Captain Sir Tom Moore.

“The last year of our father’s life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he’d only ever dreamed of.”

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