A FORMER deputy mayor was treated to a hero’s send-off as he was wheeled out of hospital after recovering from coronavirus.

Trevor Tupper OBE said it was highly likely he “shouldn’t be here” after two months in hospital fighting the vicious virus.

During this time, he spent two weeks in an induced coma in intensive care.

But the 79-year-old said it was the incredible skill and care of staff at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester which enabled him to overcome the illness.

A crack team of critical care staff, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, dieticians, physician associates, pharmacists and more combined to save his life.

The Argus:

And many of them lined the hallways of the hospital and joined together in a rousing round of applause as Mr Tupper left the building.

The former deputy mayor of Chichester admitted that, after spending so much time with staff over the last two months, he was “missing everyone already”.

But he said that the image of them lining the corridors and joining together for a round of applause as he left the site was one which would live long in the memory.

“Seeing so many friendly, smiling faces clapping away as I was leaving filled me with gratitude and pride,” Mr Tupper said.

“Thanks to this amazing team, I will be able to celebrate my 80th birthday in a few months’ time.

“The staff were all fantastic, and the food was great too.”

The Argus:

He is now back at home and has been reunited with his family.

But the kind words flowed both ways, as hospital staff credited Mr Tupper’s “tenacity for life” for inspiring their care team.

Healthcare assistant Jessica Peters said: “Mr Tupper is an inspiration to all of us on Ashling ward.

“He was very seriously ill but astonishingly is now walking, talking, eating and drinking.”

As of Monday, 214 patients have been discharged from Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust hospitals after being successfully treated for Covid-19.

The trust is responsible for the care of about 450,000 people across West Sussex.

It operates several sites across the area including St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester, Southlands Hospital in Shoreham and Worthing Hospital.

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund