My mother and father were both frontline workers, who, during this pandemic worked day in day out at the Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital. My father was a Porter, my mother a Health Care Assistant.

On January 15th, my father Martin Allsopp, started to show symptoms of COVID-19. After receiving a positive test result my dad was examined by his doctor remotely and subsequently was taken to A&E for a closer assessment.

Sadly for my dad, this culminated in him being sedated and placed on a ventilator.

He fought this virus tooth and nail (something he promised he would do) 16 days but the damage done to his lungs was too great and the decision to spare him anymore pain was given.

We said goodbye to my dad on February 9th 2021. The year he was due to retire and spend the rest of his life with my mum.

This has been one of the most horrendous times for our family.

Martin's funeral is yet to take place, but rather than flood the crematorium with flowers (my dad wasn't the sentimental type!) we thought a humble donation to raise funds for a small bench on the grounds of the Rehab hospital where mum and dad worked would be a nice memorial for him.

My dad believed in the work he did and I know he'd be proud he went out on his shield helping others.

Thank you for donating. He’d be embarrassed that this money was raised because of him but like that we were supporting the men and women who fought for him and stood by him during this horrible period.