MOURNERS gathered to celebrate the life of Jodon Gait, a much loved nurse at Worcestershire Royal hospital who died of covid-19.

A guard of honour with mourners standing two metres apart was formed in tribute to the much-loved nurse at Vale Crematorium, Pershore.

The 46 year old NHS hero died on April 25 after contracting the virus. He had been caring for Worcester people for more than 15 years.

His funeral, organised by Jackson Family Funeral Directors, took place yesterday.

Matthew Jackson said: "Jodon's family are spread across the world and could not attend, but we organised a few of his friends and colleagues to clap on his arrival to the crematorium.

"We will be sending the photographs to his family to show them how important Jodon was to his fellow colleagues at the hospital."

Mourners lined the route into the crematorium two metres apart holding a single white rose as Jodon's coffin arrived.

The chief of Worcestershire's hospitals trust said Mr Gait was "much-loved" among staff.

Matthew Hopkins, chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said at the time of his death: “It is with great sorrow that I have to share the sad news that a much-loved member of our nursing team – Jodon Gait – has died.

“Jodon was a dedicated and highly experienced health care assistant who had been with us for just over 12 months, working on the Medical Short Stay Unit at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

“Colleagues who worked most closely with him describe Jodon as a dedicated, passionate, caring colleague, a quirky character who always put patients at the centre of everything he did, delivering fantastic quality of care to his patients and who had a great sense of humour who will be massively missed by all of the team.”

A nurse who worked closely with Mr Gait, said: “Losing a member of our team to Covid-19 is absolutely heartbreaking. I still can’t quite believe it. We see people battle it everyday and it never gets easier and now it has taken a colleague.

“Rest in peace, Jodon. You were always so kind, caring and compassionate to each of your patients. You will be missed by us all.”