Memorial garden plan for Doncaster NHS coronavirus victims as appeal hits £10,000

Plaster technician Kevin Smith and consultant Dr Medhat Atalla, who both worked at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, are among the town’s 103 victims of COVID-19.

Health chiefs have unveiled plans for a memorial garden for the pair, while a separate fundraising campaign set up Mr Smith’s widow has already raised double its planned total.

A spokesman for Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals said the garden would also remember all the other local victims of coronavirus.

Mr Smith, who had worked at Doncaster Royal Infirmary since 1983, Kev, cared for thousands of patients throughout his career and died on Easter Sunday.

Following the announcement of Kevin’s passing, thousands of colleagues across DBTH came together and clapped for him for one minute. This was in addition to the countless messages left on Facebook, describing him at the town’s ‘very best pot man’ amongst other heartfelt tributes.

Channelling her efforts into such a worthwhile project, Diane Smith, Kev’s wife, has launched a Just Giving appeal in her husband’s honour, to raise money for much-needed wheelchairs at the Trust.

Speaking about the fundraising campaign, Diane said: “Kev spent many years in plaster due to a congenital abnormality of his lower leg, and in 1982 took the decision to have it amputated. From a very early age he knew exactly what it was like to experience mobility problems.

“It was with this in mind that I decided to ask for donations in memory of my husband which will be put towards the cost of new wheelchairs for DBTH. Kev was always complaining he could never find wheelchairs for patients and when he did he always said that they had a mind of their own.

The initial appeal, called ‘Kev’s Wheels’ went live on Just Giving on Sunday 3 May with a target of £5,000. In just a few hours, and at the time of writing, the page has already surpassed its goal and is now beyond £10,000.

If you wish to support the Kev’s Wheels appeal, you can donate HERE