Captain Sir Tom Moore in hospital with coronavirus after struggling with breathing

Well-wishes have flooded in for Captain Sir Tom Moore, the Second World War veteran who raised millions for the NHS during lockdown, after he was admitted to hospital with coronavirus.

Captain Tom, 100, tested positive for COVID-19 last week and was taken to hospital on Sunday for help with his breathing, his daughter Hannah said in a tweet.

He is not in intensive care, she added, but had been receiving treatment for pneumonia “over the last few weeks”.

Captain Tom and his family travelled to Barbados for a family holiday over Christmas after he was gifted the trip by British Airways.

News of his illness was met by hundreds of thousands of well-wishes, including one from Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

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He tweeted: “My thoughts are very much with @CaptainTomMoore and his family. You’ve inspired the whole nation, and I know we are all wishing you a full recovery.”

Labour leader Keir Starmer wrote in a Twitter post: “The whole nation hopes you get well soon @captaintommoore. You’ve been an inspiration to us all throughout this crisis.”

Health minister Helen Whately described Captain Sir Tom as an “inspiration to the whole country”.

“During some of the darkest times we have had he has really lifted our spirits. I really wish him well and that he pulls through,” she told Sky News on Monday.

A spokesperson for the British Army wrote on Twitter: “Get well soon @captaintommoore – sending our best wishes for your recovery.”

While the US Embassy in London also sent their best wishes, posting: “Our thoughts and prayers are with @captaintommore tonight.

“Along with the many millions of people across the UK and US who you continue to inspire – we wish you a speedy recovery. Get well soon, Sir!”

And Michael Ball, who he teamed up with to record a fundraising cover version of You’ll Never Walk Alone that reached number one in the UK charts, said: “Love and prayers for @captaintommoore and his lovely family as he battles this b****** of a virus. Stay strong Sir. We are all here for you. Xxx.”

Captain Sir Tom is receiving treatment at Bedford Hospital near his home in Bedfordshire.

His spokesperson told Sky News he had not yet been vaccinated against coronavirus because he was being treated for pneumonia.

“He was at home with us until today, when he needed additional help with breathing,” his daughter tweeted late on Sunday.

“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.”

In November, the beloved centenarian had called on the country to stand “shoulder to shoulder” as England entered a second lockdown.

Captain Sir Tom, who raised more than £32m for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday, said the nation should pull together to get through the next month.

He said: “I would like us all to stand shoulder to shoulder – metaphorically!

“Let’s try not to get downhearted, we will get through this, whatever is thrown at us and together we can ensure that tomorrow will be a good day.”

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

(c) Sky News 2021: Captain Sir Tom Moore in hospital with coronavirus after struggling with breathing