NHS staff to line the streets in tribute to nurse and his parents who all died of coronavirus

Ahead of the service for Keith, Lillian and Maurice Dunnington on Saturday, May 16, doctors, nurses, firefighters and other emergency services workers are expected to line the street at the back of South Tyneside District Hospital to give the family a fitting send-off.

Keith, who worked at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead as a staff nurse, was 54 when he died after contracting coronvirus in April.

Mum Lillian, 81, and dad Maurice, 85, both passed away in hospital days apart after also contracting Covid-19.

Preparations for Keith’s funeral were put on hold so parents and son could be laid to rest together.

Now Craig Button, of Co-op Funeralcare, has spoken of plans for the community to pay their respects to Keith, Lillian and Maurice this weekend.

The funeral cortege is expected to arrive near to the rear of South Tyneside District Hospital at around 9.20am on Saturday, with people in place lining John Reid Road.

Mr Button has called on those who wish to show their support to the family to join in.

Debbie Harvey, Keith’s cousin and his parents’ niece, told the Gazette that the three were ‘really loved’ by all who knew them and would be hugely missed.

The service is taking place from 9.45am at South Shields Crematorium on Saturday, but is restricted to immediate family

Donations in lieu of flowers are welcome and can be made to Living Waters Church at Laygate, South Shields.

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