Care home resident aged 88 who beat COVID-19 hailed as 'beacon of hope'

‘Steady’ Eddie, an 88 year old care home resident in Wigan has been hailed as a "beacon of hope" after he recovered from COVID-19 after 10 days in hospital.

Ash Tree House care home resident Eddie Moss was rushed to the Standish Ward at Wigan Infirmary with COVID-19 symptoms.

Nicknamed 'Eddie the Eagle' by care staff, Mr Moss had already been through a difficult 12 months after developing health problems and losing his wife of 64 years, Hilda, in June.

'His return has given everyone reassurance this can be beaten'

On returning to Ash Tree House care home where he has lived since July 2019, Ms Moss said: “I am recovering and very happy to be back here. I’m just glad to see you all.”

The great grandad has been unable to see his daughter, son and grandchildren, for the last eight weeks, due to lockdown rules, and was unable to communicate with his family while he was being treated.

His relieved family have said how proud they are of how brave Eddie had been. They praised the "caring" staff at Ash Tree House who are continuing to look after him as he recovers from the virus, and are hoping to see Mr Moss on a video chat from the home as soon as he is up to it.

Granddaughter Stef Hall, from Atherton, said: "We're a very close family and in normal circumstances Grandad would have had his family at his bedside.

"It was very difficult not to be able to see him during this time, especially for my children Calum and Poppy who are very close to him - and potentially not knowing whether we would see him again.

“But we should have learned by now not to underestimate him, he is a fighter!

"We can't describe how blessed we feel that he is recovering, and even though we still can't visit him, we know he is safe and well looked after by Ash Tree's staff."

Mr Moss used to work for the Wigan Post at Martland Mill, before retiring, but enjoyed a varied career, including being a former army medic, a postman and railway fireman for British Rail at Wigan.

Daughter Jan Beaumont, said: "Dad is our world, he's been through so much in the last year and we really worried about whether he would have the strength to fight off the virus. But once again he has shown his fighting spirit. We are so proud of him."

The 88-year-old, grew up in Scholes in Wigan with his sister Phyllis but spent most of his life living in Leigh. After a progressive nerve condition seriously affected his mobility, he moved into the Ash Tree House care home in Hindley.

Ash Tree House care home manager Chris Durnan said: “I can’t put into words how happy we are to have ‘Steady’ (Eddie) back at Ash Tree House.

“He is a big character in the home and we are very glad to be able to help him get back on his feet and enjoying doing the things he loves around the home such as singing and bingo.

"I hope his return has given everyone the reassurance that this can be beaten.”

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