Fundraiser in honour of Doncaster NHS worker who died from Covid-19

On Easter Sunday, Kevin Smith, a staff member at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH), passed away following treatment for Covid-19.

Following the announcement of Kevin’s passing, thousands of colleagues across DBTH came together and clapped for him for one minute.

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 called ‘Kev’s Wheels.’

Kevin Smith who passed from coronavirus.

She 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.

“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.

“Over the years this Trust has been good to our family, so the least we can do in Kev’s memory is raise as much money as we can so patients and staff will have access to a wheelchair wherever and whenever they need one.”

In just a few hours, the page has already surpassed its goal of £5,000 and is now beyond £10,000.

Richard Parker OBE, Chief Executive at DBTH, said: “As a team, we were truly and utterly heartbroken to mark the passing of Kevin on Easter Sunday.

“As has been shared by innumerable local people who benefitted from his care, Kevin was compassionate, warm, and extremely skilled.

“He was a credit to our hospitals and the NHS and we will miss him every single day.

“On a personal note, I am so full of admiration for Diane, and her wider family, who have dealt with their loss with such incredible grace and strength.

“Now that they are setting their sights on fundraising for our hospitals and patients for such a worthy cause, I am lost for words – all I can say is thank you from the very bottom of my heart.”

If you wish to support the Kev’s Wheels appeal, you can here.

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