Croydon community raises thousands for nurse lost to Covid

Linda Obiageli Udeagbala worked as a frontline NHS worker in Croydon for decades, and sadly died on February 3 after testing positive for Covid-19.

Following her passing, the Udeagbala family decided to raise awareness about Linda'a remarkable life and work, and money to help pay for her funeral.

The response they received was nothing short of remarkable, with hundreds of people from across the community chipping in over £12,000 so far and commenting on the positive impact Linda had on their lives.

"It was uplifting, to know that my mum touched so many people's lives. To know that they want to go into their own pocket, and donate. It was absolutely amazing," Linda's eldest son Marvin told the Croydon Guardian.

Linda at work as an NHS community nurse in Croydon.

"Honestly, I'm always the one that has the positive mindset. So when we started the GoFundMe I said of course we're going to hit that target but deep down I said 'no way!'

"Everyone including myself has been absolutely shocked with the response," he added.

On the family fundraiser, which was set up by another of Linda's five children, Colin, the family explicitly pay tribute to her work as a frontline NHS worker and in particular her bravery in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Linda...worked on the front lines as a Community Nurse doing what she loved, which involved caring for the sick and vulnerable.

"She provided care for patients undergoing palliative treatments and was often described by her colleagues as a comforting and reassuring element for patients in the last stage of their lives.

"Despite great risk to herself, our mother continued to have face to face patient contact," Colin wrote on the fundraising page.

Photograph via Udeagbala family.

Her death is one of a approximately 850 health and social care workers thought to have died after contracting Covid-19 since March 2020 and the rise of the virus in the UK.

Many like Linda were NHS workers who died after helping fight the spread of Covid and treat those infected with it, often at great risk to themselves.

As Marvin pointed out, Linda "declined an offer to work from home" and insisted on staying on the frontlines of the pandemic to continue caring for her patients, despite the risks she faced:

"I know my mum is not the first and probably won't be the last," he said regarding the other NHS frontline workers who have died during the pandemic after testing positive for Covid-19.

"Unfortunately that has not been highlighted or mentioned enough considering the work they have done, and that's very unfortunate to note.

"I feel like it's very important to have awareness of what these have done, the work they have done, and be appreciative.

"We heard from her work colleagues, and you can see it on the fundraising page," he added.

Photograph via Udeagbala family.

Linda was one of an estimated 13.8 per cent of NHS workers from a non-British background.

She moved to the UK from Nigeria some 40 years ago, during the 1980s, working in the care sector for 20 years before putting her skills to use as a community nurse in the NHS.

Her working life in the UK highlighted the contribution many immigrants make caring for people in their communities after settling here.

"She was an incredible woman. The work that she did for the NHS over 20 years was amazing. She worked in care for over 40 years.

"When she emigrated from Nigeria to the UK, ever since she came here, all she has done is care work. All she has done is care for people," Marvin said.

"She was very forgiving, she was the glue to the family. Everytime there was a dispute she would be the one to bring everyone together," he added.

"If I had a fight or wasn't talking with someone she would be the one to come over and say: 'Listen, this is your family. You have to sort it out.' She held us together."

To contribute to the Udeagbala fundraiser, click here.