Well known Doncaster politician's tribute to NHS after losing mum who caught Covid 19

Phil Cole, who represents Edlington on Doncaster Council and is the husband of the former Don Valley MP Caroline Flint, lost his mother who was suffering from the illness over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

But he praised the care she received before she died, and urged the public to follow official advice on staying at home.

He said: "My mum Monica had been ill for some time and was in hospital in Darlington just before the lockdown. On that occasion, she returned to her care home and did not have Covid-19. She was rushed to hospital on Good Friday April 10, where she succumbed to Covid-19 on top of a chronic lung infection.

"I am grateful to her care home staff, the NHS staff who treated her, the priest who journeyed to her side on her final day and the nurse who was with her at the end. Our family could not have asked for more.

"Our sadness was in not seeing her during those final weeks, just a few phone calls. Only eight of us could attend the service at her graveside. Monica had a large family who will want to celebrate her life when this crisis has passed. Many families have suffered loss through this pandemic and will know that feeling of wanting a better way to say goodbye. My heart goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one during this pandemic and I urge people to follow the advice and stay safe."

Coun Cole’s wife, Ms Flint said: "I knew Monica longer than I did my own mother. She was a good woman, a wonderful grandma, who devoted time to others her whole life. Her Catholic faith was a huge strength for her and she had no fear of dying. She lived a full life for 86 years and touched the lives of many around her. We will all miss Monica."

Monica Cole was buried in her home town of Stockton, where she lived in most of her life.