Special blue light ‘clap for carers’ display planned at Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital in memory of popular and respected nurse who died after testing positive for Covid-19

Colleagues have organised the emergency service-only tribute following the tragic death on Monday of Anujkumar Kuttikkottu Pavithran (known as ‘Kumar’ to his colleagues). A husband and father-of-two, he was 44.

It comes as an online fundraiser in aid of his family passes the £28,000 mark (you can donate here), having only been set up yesterday.

News of Mr Pavithran’s death has prompted a flood of tributes.

Andrew Morgan, the chief executive of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (which runs Pilgrim Hospital), described him as a ‘very well-liked, professional, respected member of the team’.

Tomorrow’s blue light display is not open to the public, it is stressed. Anyone else wishing to honour Mr Pavithran’s memory is asked to support the ‘clap for carers’ display from home.

A spokesman for the hospital trust said: “A special blue light ‘clap for carers’ has been arranged by our staff at Pilgrim Hospital this Thursday evening in memory of staff nurse Anujkumar Kuttikkottu Pavithran, who sadly died this week after having tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19).

“We are expecting some of our fellow blue light colleagues, including ambulance, police and fire personnel, to come to the site and take part in the weekly ‘clap for carers’. We will ensure that any blue light staff who do come along adhere to social distancing measures.

“We welcome this show of support for our staff, but need to be clear that this is not a public event, as public gatherings are not currently permitted under Government lockdown rules.

“We wholeheartedly appreciate the support of our patients and public, and would encourage them to show their respect for Kumar and all carers by taking part in the national ‘clap for carers’ at their own homes, as they have done so well in previous weeks.”