The family of Frances Nolan, who sadly died of Covid-19 at Queen’s Hospital last April, aged 82, were so grateful for the care she received and how supportive our staff were to them, that they wanted to give something back.

And they knew exactly the deserving cause, which was extremely close to grandmother Frances’ heart – our Children’s Diabetes team, which supported her grandson, Jude (pictured above with Frances), following his diagnosis with type 1 diabetes when he was eight.

Jude’s mum, Julie Nolan-Day, said: “Mum was not only a big part of our family, but a big part of the community too. We decided not to have flowers at her funeral, but a collection; and we all knew who it would be for.

“Mum had been so impressed with the Children’s Diabetes team and how they would call to check on Jude, who’s 13 now, they became like part of our family. She came to every hospital appointment with us.”

Julie, also mum to Matthew 16, and Daisy, 20, was hugely grateful for the support of Upminster Rugby Club, Jude plays for the under 14s team, following her mum’s death. It was a difficult time for the family as her 90-year-old dad Jimmy also had Covid. He has since recovered well from the virus.

Julie, of Devonshire Road, Hornchurch, added: “They were delivering us food, it was amazing. The mums of children at the club, and Jude’s school, St Mary’s, also donated to our collection and helped us raise more money for the Diabetes team.”

They raised over £300 and used the money to purchase indispensable tools for parents of children with diabetes, including Carbs and Cals books, food weighing scales, and insulin pump pouches. These have all now been delivered to the King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity to help other families.

Julie said: “It means so much to donate them, mum would be so proud. She was so caring that we know she’d be really happy to know we were helping other children like Jude. It’s also important to us that she’s remembered.

“Throughout the pandemic we’ve heard so many numbers – we need to remember there are people behind those stats. The staff who cared for mum were wonderful and told us lovely things about her too, that she was always talking about her family, and had a smile right up to the end.”