'The best of humanity': readers' tributes to Capt Sir Tom Moore

Captain Sir Tom Moore, who has died aged 100 after testing positive for Covid-19, inspired many people in the UK and around the world. Guardian readers share their thoughts on what he meant to them.

'He gave me hope for a bright future for the world'

Captain Tom's selfless and inspiring acts in raising money for the NHS touched me deeply. That a man could give so much, and inspire so many people, without any expectation of reward, is amazing to me. To have lost this fine man to the very disease he was working so hard to eradicate is an irony so painful it defies description. I have never met Captain Tom of course, and I am the poorer for that, but he inspired me and set a fine example for the world to admire. There are many people in positions of high leadership who would do well to study his example and strive to achieve even an iota of his stature.

Related: Captain Sir Tom Moore obituary

I live in the US but my daughter lives in the UK and is a health professional working in an NHS hospital. Captain Tom raised my spirits and gave me hope during the dark days of this terrible pandemic. It also illustrated that, while there are many selfish and egotistical people in this world, there are also people who are just good to the core and his example gave me hope for a bright future for the world. Terry, Washington, US

'He spanned the Atlantic Ocean for me'

Captain Tom got me through divorce, lockdown and despair. He reminded me of my dear departed dad and I am so sad to see him go. Every morning I checked how he was doing - he didn't just do 100 laps in his daughter's garden; he spanned the Atlantic Ocean for me. Thank you, Captain Tom. You are missed. Chris, retired, from North Berwick, Scotland but living in the US

'He reminded me of my grandad'

My great-grandfather Tommy was a world war one veteran of many key battles. How he came home was beyond everyone that met and knew him. Captain Tom reminded me of Grandad Tommy - stoic, warm, measured, focused and kind. All worthwhile things to do and be. Thank you, sir. He brought some light to a very dark time. Chris, 51, managing director, West Midlands

'Age is no barrier to doing what we set out to do'

I have a 97-year-old father who would identify with Sir Tom's character and efforts and ideas about giving. Sadly, Dad is not as mentally clear as Sir Tom was, but that's just where he is today. He would share that wonderful gift of giving with Sir Tom and he, too, was in world war two in the Burma campaign. I just wish to say that Sir Tom Moore is the finest reminder of all that is good not just in the UK, but in our world. If we ever needed a hero, it is at this time of so much loss and grief.

Thank you from us, a family, with young ones, grandchildren, who need a hero like you, Sir Tom, and for we "older ones" who also need to know that age is no barrier to doing what we set out to do. Thank you, too, for giving me courage and greater vision beyond myself. There is such strength in the ordinary extraordinary. Bless you. Winifred B, 67, psychotherapist, Surrey

'The word hero is often overused and misused, but not here'

While politicians everywhere, with few exceptions, said little and did even less, one man stood tall. He usurped them all with simple action and absolute focus. Hero is often an overused and misused word, but not here, not at this moment in time. Thank you, Sir Tom, you showed the way. My heartfelt condolences to your family. Jeremy, 62, self-employed, Bordeaux, France

'He turned a simple movement of walking into an explosion of inspirational positive activity'

Overall, I think the nation mourns a true British national hero. His modesty, and enthusiastic personality, was a shining light in lockdown while we were confined to our homes. He turned his confinement into inspiration by just walking; so simple but yet it changed lives, probably saved many, and gave us all the boost we needed. We only got to know of him for a year but it was an honour and I thank his family for sharing him with us. We'll remember him as a [then] 99-year-old who turned a simple movement of just walking into an explosion of inspirational positive activity that helped heal the nation of negativity. I hope history honours his memory. Davina Kylassum, 43, exploitation and missing child and youth practitioner, Edgware

'May we all live our lives in such an admirable way'

Capt Sir Tom was, truly, the best of humanity. Endured hardship and exhibited humility. All respect to him, his family, and the complicated country he served as a young and as an experienced man. May we all live our lives in such an admirable way. When we get through this, me and mine will raise another glass to the hero who fought fascists and viruses. LG Godwin, 48, associate professor of theatre history, Grandview Island, Virginia, US