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Guinness World Records are saddened to hear of the death of Captain Sir Tom Moore (UK).

Tom, who raised over £30 million for the NHS, passed away in hospital after contracting coronavirus following treatment for pneumonia.

His daughters, Hannah and Lucy, confirmed the news in a recent statement. 

100-year-old Captain Tom Moore (UK) achieved the record title for the most money raised by charity walk (individual), raising a staggering total of £32,796,155 (€36,249,800, US$44,528,100) on JustGiving as of 31 December 2020.

This broke the previous record which stood for 40 years. 

In a previous interview with Guinness World Records, Tom shared how pleased he was to have achieved this amazing record.

"I feel very honoured to receive recognition from Guinness World Records. My charity walk has raised more money than I could have possibly imagined and I am so thankful to those who have donated money and bought the single so we could achieve these records together and raise money for our incredible NHS during these difficult times. These really are Guinness World Records titles for all of us." - Captain Sir Tom Moore

Tom, a WWII veteran from Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, had originally aimed to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together by walking laps of his garden. 

His aim was to complete 100 laps before his 100th birthday; a challenge he completed on Thursday 16 April.

However, his original goal of £1,000 was met in a mere 24 hours so he continued fundraising.

The donations continued to rack up and his target kept rising to the incredible sum it is today.

Captain Tom Moore with both of his Guinness World Records certificates / Credit: Emma Sohl - Capture The Light Photography

In addition to the incredible sum raised by his charity walk, he also topped the UK charts with Michael Ball and The NHS Voices of Care Choir (both UK) with their single You'll Never Walk Alone. 

This made Tom the oldest person to reach number one in the UK charts, who at the time (30 April 2020) was 99 years and 359 days old.

Both of these records are now immortalised inside and on the cover of Guinness World Records 2021.

His achievements continued into 2020, as his fundraising efforts led to being knighted by the Queen, Elizabeth II, on the 17 July.

He then went on to win the Helen Rollason Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year show in December, an award which recognises outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.

"Captain Tom singlehandedly did more to boost our nation's spirits than anyone else during the last year of lockdowns," said Craig Glenday, Editor-in-Chief at Guinness World Records. 

"Not only did he make a meaningful - and of course record-breaking - contribution to the NHS's efforts to combat COVID-19, but he came to symbolize and embody the pluck and determination needed to face a crisis like this.

"That he did so at the age of 100 years old is simply remarkable. He was an inspiration - a true hero of the first order - and it was an honour to be able to celebrate his achievements on a global scale."

Our thoughts go out to Tom's family at this difficult time.

We're certain people will continue to celebrate his awe-inspiring contributions to fundraising for the NHS and subsequent records for years to come. 

Header image credit: Left, Shutterstock / Right, Emma Sohl - Capture The Light Photography