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Two nurses have combined their love of music to raise funds for NHS staff battling Covid-19 on the frontline.
Lisa Champion, from Greenhithe, and Olivija Gadeikien, from Gravesend, are both nurses at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford.
Lost Without You by Freya Ridings, covered by Lisa Champion and Olivija Gadeikien
Olivija has been a nursing assistant for the past three years and is a trainee nursing associate, while Lisa has been a registered nurse for the past two-and-a-half years.
The friends met at work around three years ago and have been close ever since, working side by side in A and E, on the Cypress Unit.
After experiencing the struggles faced by the NHS first hand throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the duo decided to raise money by creating a cover of Lost Without You by Freya Ridings.
Lisa, 28, who sings in the video, said: "Working as a nurse during the pandemic certainly has its challenges. At times you can feel really lonely and isolated.
"I haven't seen any of my loved ones in weeks because I am so scared that I will make them ill. I haven't seen my boyfriend of 12 years in two months.
"Thankfully, I have such an amazing group of work colleagues that I really do call my family. You need to have team work, because the job can be stressful enough at times.
"We made this rendition of the song to remind individuals of their family and loved ones during this tough time. This song is also in memory of all of the NHS staff we have lost.
"I have always enjoyed singing, I have never had any singing lessons, but I love music.
"Both Olivija and I decided it would be lovely to share our love for music, that's when we decided to do this duo.
"I adore the song Lost Without You by Freya Ridings. It's such an emotional song and I thought it would be a great cover to sing.
"We made the video to show our love to all our fellow NHS workers who are working through these tough times."
Pianist Olivija and her family moved to the UK from Lithuania 10 years ago.
The 41-year-old has been playing the piano since she was a child and graduated from a music grammar school in Lithuania.
At 20, Olivija moved to the United States of America and continued her musical journey abroad.
The mum of two was an accompanist with the Lithuanian choral ensemble, Dainava, and writes her own music.
She said: "Music has always played a huge part in my life.
"Working during the pandemic has been hard. Being part of A&E means I see a lot of poorly patients coming through the doors.
"But the pandemic has brought various scary thoughts, as well as the feeling of uncertainty of what is going to happen.
"Music, however, is my way of coping with this whole terrifying situation. So when one of the doctors in A&E asked me if I’d be interested in doing a small video with him, it was a nice escape.
"After posting it on Facebook, Lisa suggested about us doing a song together.
"Lisa had a beautiful idea of creating a JustGiving page so we could raise money for the NHS staff. I thought it was a brilliant and thoughtful idea."
Both nurses have used their passion for music as an escape from the hardship they've faced following the Covid-19 outbreak.
Lisa said: "I have seen such a dynamic change in my day-to-day life as a nurse.
"It can be really emotional when your work colleagues have become unwell, due to this horrible virus, but I am proud to call myself a nurse.
"It is a scary time to be in this profession, but we can through this! We are here when you need us."
Olivija has also agreed that the past few months have been challenging.
She said: "Music takes me into the safe place, at least for some time.
"It gives me the strength I very much need in these difficult situations.
"I am so happy that our rendition of the song brought so much attention and filled people's hearts with love.
"I am proud to be a part of NHS."
If you would like to find out more about Lisa and Olivija's fundraising or to donate to Darent Valley Hospital, click here.
For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.
