Thank you for taking the time to visit this JustGiving page.

In the last two weeks of January both my mum, Susan and my brother, Barry, passed away from Covid-19 at Royal Derby Hospital.

My dad, Michael and my other brother, David, were also ill with Covid-19. Michael is now out of the hospital and is in respite care as things are being sorted. David is much better and is being looked after at a care home.

As per family wishes both Susan and Barry will be cremated directly, and as there will be no service there will be no flowers. I intend to find a natural burial ground for their final resting place. Should you wish to make a donation in lieu to either this page or the linked page for Treetops Hospice then the family and the charities will be hugely grateful.

The Nightingale Macmillan Unit is an independent palliative ward at the Royal Derby Hospital. As Barry's condition worsened he was transferred there from Ward 404 and we were so thankful we could be with him for those final hours on the Nightingale. The staff on both wards were wonderful, considerate and caring and the Nightingale Unit was calm, peaceful and tranquil. We could not have wished for a better place in such circumstances.

My mum Susan was taken to the hospital the same weekend as Barry and seemed to be doing well. But, as seems to be an all too familiar story, the virus ended up taking her quickly. Mum was on Ward 401, just a little way down the corridor from Barry.

Both Susan and Barry were kind and gentle with a cheeky sense of humour and will be much missed by friends and relatives. The wonderful messages I've read from Barry's many friends in the village are testament to that.

Your donations will help the Nightingale unit (fund 14001) to provide patients with the best possible quality of life, and to provide them and their families with psychological, social and spiritual support. Donations are also used to purchase equipment, to enhance the environment and facilities of the unit, to fund education courses for staff and to fund palliative care and lymphoedema research.

Thank you for reading and be rest assured that donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Stay safe and look after each other.
With love
Gareth