STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Captain Tom Moore has died. He was a British veteran of World War II and was 100 years old. He died of COVID-19 but not before performing one more service. And, Noel, you're just going to have to help me if I choke up here. In his 100th year, he raised $40 million to help Britain's National Health Service fight the coronavirus that later killed him.
NOEL KING, HOST:
And he did it by walking. There was this really popular video of Moore walking around and around his garden patio, all for charity.
INSKEEP: Mr. Moore's grandson Colin Ingram promised to pay his granddad one pound, one British pound, per lap. That challenge was posted on social media and turned into a widespread campaign to raise money for the health service. Here's the BBC capturing Mr. Moore's final lap last May.
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UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Inches to go and there he is.
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UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Congratulations. Well done. Absolutely amazing, amazing achievement. Captain Tom, how do you feel this morning?
TOM MOORE: Fine. I'm in this. I mean, I'm surrounded by the right sort of people. So, yes, I feel fine. I hope you're all feeling fine, too.
KING: Captain Tom Moore received a knighthood. And here's British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
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PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON: He became not just a national inspiration but a beacon of hope for the world.
INSKEEP: His doctor was Claire Alajooz of the Royal College of Physicians. And she says every time he came for an appointment, he had a smile on his face and brought the staff chocolates that he hoped would keep them going.
KING: He had many admirers. Here's Lieutenant Colonel Tom Miller in a video from the Yorkshire Regiment.
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THOMAS MILLER: A truly inspirational individual who had captured the hearts of the nation over these testing times with his infectious energy, drive and determination.
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INSKEEP: After his death at age 100, Britain's National Health Service put out a one-line tweet - thanks for everything, Sir Tom.
(SOUNDBITE OF THE BAND OF H.M. ROYAL GUARDS' "WELLINGTON MARCH") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
