A fundraising page has been set up after a nurse and mum-of-two children died from Covid-19 in Southport.
Josephine Peter, a nurse at Southport and Formby District General Hospital, died on Saturday at the hospital after testing positive for the disease.
Her husband described ‘Manini’ as his ‘heroine’.
A fundraising page has now been set up in order to pay for the funeral of the courageous nurse and for repatriation costs to fly her body back to her home country of South Africa.
Manini leaves behind her husband, Thabo Peter, her two children, Bongani and Buhle, a granddaughter, five sisters and one brother.
Southport & Ormskirk NHS Hospitals Trust chief executive Trish Armstrong-Child said: “Josephine, from Hayes, Middlesex, had worked at Southport since February on an agency contract until falling ill in early April. She was a nurse for 20 years and was married with two children.
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“Josephine’s husband, Thabo, told me she was passionate, hardworking, always putting others before herself. She was ‘my heroine’, he said.
“Our thoughts are with Josephine’s family at this difficult time and we offer them our sincere condolences.”
James Lock, chief executive of Altrix, the nursing agency that employed Josephine, said: “Josephine was a diligent nurse who was highly regarded and liked by the team. She would always go that extra mile and was a pleasure to work with. My team and I send our very best wishes and deepest condolences to Josephine’s family.”
A Go Fund Me page has now been set up in Josephine’s memory.
Cynthia Charles, who set up the page, said: “In memory of our colleague, friend, wife, mother, grandma, sister whose life was lost as a result of a Covid 19 virus infection probably contracted at work within the NHS.
“Josephine Matseke (Manini) was born and raised in South Africa, Johannesburg, Brakpan Springs.
“Graduated in 1998 as a professional nurse – Bcur Honours in General, Community, Midwifery, Psychiatric Nursing Sciences – University of Fort Hare and Cecilia Makiwane Hospital – South Africa.
Southport Hospital
“Due to a massive recruitment drive, she landed herself job in the UK in 2002 – Princess Margaret Hospital, Windsor,
“She later moved to London and worked for Care Uk and later joined the Hillingdon NHS Trust majoring in Gynae and Obstetrics – her passion!
“In the later years, she decided to work as a locum nurse via an Agency,
“Manini’s last assignment was in Southport Hospital NHS Trust, until her untimely death on Saturday 18/04/2020!
“On this morning, her husband, Thabo received a telephone call from the intensive care Registrar informing him that mechanical ventilation did not serve any purpose for Manini and the only plan was to withdraw all treatment. Manini then was laid to rest. Covid 19 you have NO reason to be proud here at all.
“Manini leaves behind her husband Thabo Peter who is still residing here in the UK, her two kids, Bongani and Buhle have both returned and living in South Africa, a granddaughter, five sisters and one brother.
“As in many South Africans growing up in the 1980s Manini was raised under harsh and vulnerable conditions of the South African Apartheid regime, whereby she was whipped and humiliated by the the then White ruling party. Still then, her spirit was never broken. She strived and completed her 12 year schooling and later pulled an Honours degree in Nursing Sciences. A loyal member of the South African Nursing Council and later a loyal member of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
“Her colleagues and South African friends are so shocked and devastated by her sudden and untimely passing. They are humbly appealing for a donation to cover repatriation and funeral costs on behalf of Manini’s family.
“As you give to this course, do remember this, ‘ for it is giving that we receive’, and may your purses and wallets be replenished with more.
“Thanks a million times.”
