"Kind" and "dedicated" paramedic dies after testing positive for Covid-19

A First 4 Care paramedic who was "totally dedicated to his job" has died in hospital after contracting coronavirus.

Charlie Goodwin, 61, had worked as an ambulance driver for more than 20 years.

He was rushed to King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfieldon on April 8. He tested positive for Covid-19 and was subsequently admitted to intensive care.

Mr Goodwin sadly passed away on Monday (April 20) after he stopped responding to treatment.

His wife, Julie Goodwin, has described her husband as "very kind" and "totally dedicated to his work".

His son, Daniel said said his father was a man who "gave 110 percent to his job and family."

Mrs Goodwin said that when the coronavirus outbreak began her husband immediately wanted to "get out there" to help people.

She says since his death she has received a lot of messages from her husbands colleagues, who all thought very highly of him.

She says that the virus is "horrible" and describes the experience as "really hard and terrible".

She added: "We could not go to hospital and I could not go with him to hospital and we cannot even go and see him in the chapel of rest.

Mrs Goodwin says she wants people to stay at home to prevent other people from going through a similar experience. She said: "I just want to tell people to stay in and stop being stupid."

Jonathan Lightbody, managing director for First 4 Care, had nothing but praise for Charlie Goodwin.

He said: "Charlie was a positive influence on many and colleagues couldn’t help but be inspired by Charlie’s work ethic and dedication. I wish we had a team of Charlies but of course we can’t, and I doubt we’ll ever be blessed with another Charlie. Charlie was uniquely Charlie."

"He was an enormously respected member of our first4care patient transport team and he more than played his part supporting the nation’s cause and assisting our NHS clients during this horrendous crisis."

"We’re devastated to have lost such a dedicated member of our team, a true gentleman who gave everything for first4care; and always with his cheeky smile."

"Charlie was genuinely respected, and loved by his colleagues which is evident from the words of remembrance we’ve received and have collated into a book of remembrance for his family."